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About Drug Development

24 April 2017

Kaitlin Alexander

Have you ever wondered how new medications come to exist on the market? Are you interested in becoming a developer of new pharmaceutical drugs? You will need to start by learning the basics. Drug development is the process of getting a new chemical compound into the market following its creation. People who work to develop drugs must have, at the very least, a bachelor's degree in a related science such as chemistry, chemical engineering, medical science, or biology. Drugs are usually developed by large pharmaceutical, research organizations, or drug development services. 

Drug Development Process  

There are several steps of drug development. First is laboratory research and the discovery of a new compound. Next is pre-clinical research, wherein drugs are tested in the lab and on animals to discover more about how they work. Afterward comes clinical research, the stage where the new drug is tested on humans. Finally, any new drug must win the approval of the USFDA. The FDA continues to monitor the new drug on the market to make sure it is safe.   

Drug Development Facts

It's not easy to get your new compound into the market. According to one source, "It takes an average of 12 years for a drug to travel from the research lab to the patient." Many potential new medications never make the cut. In fact, according to the same source, ninety percent of drugs in pre-clinical trials fail to make it the stage of human testing. Of the ten percent that reach the human testing stage, only twenty percent are approved for use by the FDA and other authorities. The cost of drug development is enormous. Some sources estimate a few hundred million dollars, while others say it could be up to five billion dollars. Clearly, it's not easy to make new medications. 

Drug Development Services

Numerous organizations now offer drug development services to labs and scientists. These services can help make the process of drug development smoother and easier. The services provided may include access to qualified consultants who help navigate the process, help with beginning the stage of human testing, aid in understanding and meeting the various FDA requirements, and financial planning consultation. They may also help provide staff skilled in pharmaceutical science and laboratory research. Some drug development services offer help in marketing and commercializing the new drug. It's easy to find drug development services with just a simple web search. As always, labs and companies should research the services available and find the one that's right for them.   

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