The Interface between Drug Research, Marketing, Management and Social, Political and Regulatory Forces

Abstract

Today Drug Research and Development has evolved into a massive complex maze of interactions amongst scientists, physicians, regulatory specialists, lawyers, systems analysts, planning experts, economists and corporate managements. This is not a chance evolution. Some believe that this interaction is vital to the survival of a pharmaceutical company since only the ‘bottom line’ will determine how much money will be spent on Research and Development. Others have suggested that this is only an interim phase and as the world economy comes out of the doldrums of 1974–5, then, increased sales and profits will lessen the pressure on the cost of research. At the other extreme, we have the prognosticators of doom who see an industry beleagured by a lack of new products, extensive generic competition and ever-increasing operational costs and thus, with increasing internal and external interferences, drug research will no longer function in a creative and productive environment. Wherein amongst these points of view lies the real balance of thought of the place and role of Research and Development in today’s pharmaceutical company?