Pharmaceutical Industry discussion, review, analysis, news and information.

According to a study led by a Duke University economist, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry has become the world leader in introducing important new drugs since 1993.

U.S. firms introduced 48 percent of first-in-class or novel drugs, 52 percent of biotech drugs and 55 percent of orphan drugs that treat rare diseases worldwide from 1993 to 2003. Reversing trends of the 1980s, the U.S. has become the top country where new drugs are first launched and has been the site of first launch for 68 percent of novel drugs, 45 percent of biotech drugs and 69 percent of orphan drugs.

Read more at Duke University News & Communications.