Can someone PLEASE answer this question

Started by DrZion
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

DrZion

Full Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
What happened in 2000 to have such a large increase in the amount of drug?
 
What happened in 2000 to have such a large increase in the amount of drug?

Year 2000: Human Genome Sequencing Completed

You can intuitively figure out why the drug number increased from that. I'm betting you're interviewing at Temple, eh? 😀 Been there, done that (February '07). Best of luck!

-PMP
 
What happened in 2000 to have such a large increase in the amount of drug?


Actually, I don't think that the completion of the genome sequencing is the main factor. I believe that the main factor is a massive increase in television advertising of medications and a resulting increase in general awareness by the public of what's available. That, coupled with the fact that most "new" medications are not actually new (many are simply 100% of the biologically active enantiomer as opposed to 50% of the active and 50% of the inactive - i.e prilosec/nexium and celexa/lexapro) has led to a sharp increase in the number of new meds brought to market and the number of rx's prescribed.
 
I believe two factors are involved. One: the increase in direct-to-consumer advertising. Two: The passage of FDA Modernization Act of 1997, which created a "Fast Track" approval for important drugs to come onto the market much faster than usual. There was also a lot of drug development in the 1990's that by 2000 had reached the approval stage. I don't believe the sequencing of the human genome had much to do with this at all, however, 15-20 years down the road, it will have a lot to do with drug discovery.