Squaring the drug development circle

Abstract

G overnments, in the industrialised world at least, struggle to square the drug development circle. The growing pressure on healthcare budgets means purchasers seek to control drug costs. However, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most successful industrial sectors and governments want to maintain a supportive research and development (R&D) environment. To resolve this tension, policy-makers need accurate estimates of the cost of pharmaceutical R&D.