A confounder here is that diseases targeting common ailments (pain, colds, etc.) have already been developed. The FDA requires that new medications be better t

A confounder here is that diseases targeting common ailments (pain, colds, etc.) have already been developed. The FDA requires that new medications be better than the existing ones one some axis. So before, you had to find people with pain. Then, you had to find women with pain. Then, you have to find pregnant women with pain. Then, you have to find pregnant women also suffering from gestational diabetes with pain. That’s hypothetical, but it’s a real trend. Costs go up based on the number of people you have to sift through to find someone eligible. Things like viagra (10 years ago) or ozempic are still in the honeymoon period where inclusion/exclusion criteria are broad enough that you can enroll lots of people in any given place.