Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4387

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Myers MJ.
Marketing and pharmaceutical development
Journal of Drug Issues 1992; 22:221-234

Abstract:

New pharmaceuticals are developed in response to therapeutic need, scientific feasibility, and market demand. As research and development (R&D) decision processes becomes more sophisticated, marketing input plays a greater role in these decisions. Industry-financed R&D is dependent on basic research financed by government. The political decisions which determine government-financed research are significant determinants of the scientific feasibility of a new drug. Many new drugs offer only minor advantages over existing therapies. The cumulative effect of these minor improvements are significant. In addition, new drugs often increase competition in a market. The Orphan Drug Act has contributed to the marketing of drugs where sufficient market demand may not otherwise exist. While some portion of R&D funds are spent on imitative drugs, the incentive for this use of R&D funds decreases as buyers become more sophisticated and as the cost of marketing a new drug increases.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/drug company sponsored research/marketplace research/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: RESEARCH