Author: Gerrit Reepmeyer
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 379081668X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
The productivity in pharmaceutical research and development faces intense pres sure. R&D expenditures of the major US and European companies have topped US$ 33 billion in 2003 compared to around US$ 13 billion just a decade ago. At the same time, the number of new drug approvals has dropped from 53 in 1996 to only 35 in 2003. Moreover, the protraction of clinical trials has significantly reduced the effective time of patent protection. The consequences are devastating. Monopoly profits have started to decline and the average costs per new drug have reached a re cord level of close to US$ 1 billion today. As a result, any failure of a new sub stance in the R&D process can lead to considerable losses, and the risks of introduc ing a new drug to the market have grown tremendously. Particularly if a company is highly dependent on just a handful of mega-selling blockbuster drugs, the risks can be even greater. For example, Pfizer generated about 90% of its worldwide revenues in 2002 with just 8 products. Any shortfall of a promising late-stage drug candidate would have left Pfizer with a gaping hole in its product portfolio. In order to deal with these risks, many pharmaceutical companies have started to organize their R&D in partnership. In fact, more than 600 alliances in pharmaceutical R&D are signed every year.
Risk-sharing in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Author: Gerrit Reepmeyer
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 379081668X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
The productivity in pharmaceutical research and development faces intense pres sure. R&D expenditures of the major US and European companies have topped US$ 33 billion in 2003 compared to around US$ 13 billion just a decade ago. At the same time, the number of new drug approvals has dropped from 53 in 1996 to only 35 in 2003. Moreover, the protraction of clinical trials has significantly reduced the effective time of patent protection. The consequences are devastating. Monopoly profits have started to decline and the average costs per new drug have reached a re cord level of close to US$ 1 billion today. As a result, any failure of a new sub stance in the R&D process can lead to considerable losses, and the risks of introduc ing a new drug to the market have grown tremendously. Particularly if a company is highly dependent on just a handful of mega-selling blockbuster drugs, the risks can be even greater. For example, Pfizer generated about 90% of its worldwide revenues in 2002 with just 8 products. Any shortfall of a promising late-stage drug candidate would have left Pfizer with a gaping hole in its product portfolio. In order to deal with these risks, many pharmaceutical companies have started to organize their R&D in partnership. In fact, more than 600 alliances in pharmaceutical R&D are signed every year.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 379081668X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
The productivity in pharmaceutical research and development faces intense pres sure. R&D expenditures of the major US and European companies have topped US$ 33 billion in 2003 compared to around US$ 13 billion just a decade ago. At the same time, the number of new drug approvals has dropped from 53 in 1996 to only 35 in 2003. Moreover, the protraction of clinical trials has significantly reduced the effective time of patent protection. The consequences are devastating. Monopoly profits have started to decline and the average costs per new drug have reached a re cord level of close to US$ 1 billion today. As a result, any failure of a new sub stance in the R&D process can lead to considerable losses, and the risks of introduc ing a new drug to the market have grown tremendously. Particularly if a company is highly dependent on just a handful of mega-selling blockbuster drugs, the risks can be even greater. For example, Pfizer generated about 90% of its worldwide revenues in 2002 with just 8 products. Any shortfall of a promising late-stage drug candidate would have left Pfizer with a gaping hole in its product portfolio. In order to deal with these risks, many pharmaceutical companies have started to organize their R&D in partnership. In fact, more than 600 alliances in pharmaceutical R&D are signed every year.
Sharing Clinical Trial Data
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309316324
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
Data sharing can accelerate new discoveries by avoiding duplicative trials, stimulating new ideas for research, and enabling the maximal scientific knowledge and benefits to be gained from the efforts of clinical trial participants and investigators. At the same time, sharing clinical trial data presents risks, burdens, and challenges. These include the need to protect the privacy and honor the consent of clinical trial participants; safeguard the legitimate economic interests of sponsors; and guard against invalid secondary analyses, which could undermine trust in clinical trials or otherwise harm public health. Sharing Clinical Trial Data presents activities and strategies for the responsible sharing of clinical trial data. With the goal of increasing scientific knowledge to lead to better therapies for patients, this book identifies guiding principles and makes recommendations to maximize the benefits and minimize risks. This report offers guidance on the types of clinical trial data available at different points in the process, the points in the process at which each type of data should be shared, methods for sharing data, what groups should have access to data, and future knowledge and infrastructure needs. Responsible sharing of clinical trial data will allow other investigators to replicate published findings and carry out additional analyses, strengthen the evidence base for regulatory and clinical decisions, and increase the scientific knowledge gained from investments by the funders of clinical trials. The recommendations of Sharing Clinical Trial Data will be useful both now and well into the future as improved sharing of data leads to a stronger evidence base for treatment. This book will be of interest to stakeholders across the spectrum of research-from funders, to researchers, to journals, to physicians, and ultimately, to patients.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309316324
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 236
Book Description
Data sharing can accelerate new discoveries by avoiding duplicative trials, stimulating new ideas for research, and enabling the maximal scientific knowledge and benefits to be gained from the efforts of clinical trial participants and investigators. At the same time, sharing clinical trial data presents risks, burdens, and challenges. These include the need to protect the privacy and honor the consent of clinical trial participants; safeguard the legitimate economic interests of sponsors; and guard against invalid secondary analyses, which could undermine trust in clinical trials or otherwise harm public health. Sharing Clinical Trial Data presents activities and strategies for the responsible sharing of clinical trial data. With the goal of increasing scientific knowledge to lead to better therapies for patients, this book identifies guiding principles and makes recommendations to maximize the benefits and minimize risks. This report offers guidance on the types of clinical trial data available at different points in the process, the points in the process at which each type of data should be shared, methods for sharing data, what groups should have access to data, and future knowledge and infrastructure needs. Responsible sharing of clinical trial data will allow other investigators to replicate published findings and carry out additional analyses, strengthen the evidence base for regulatory and clinical decisions, and increase the scientific knowledge gained from investments by the funders of clinical trials. The recommendations of Sharing Clinical Trial Data will be useful both now and well into the future as improved sharing of data leads to a stronger evidence base for treatment. This book will be of interest to stakeholders across the spectrum of research-from funders, to researchers, to journals, to physicians, and ultimately, to patients.
Risk Management Applications in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
Author: Hamid Mollah
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470552344
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Sets forth tested and proven risk management practices in drug manufacturing Risk management is essential for safe and efficient pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, control, and distribution. With this book as their guide, readers involved in all facets of drug manufacturing have a single, expertly written, and organized resource to guide them through all facets of risk management and analysis. It sets forth a solid foundation in risk management concepts and then explains how these concepts are applied to drug manufacturing. Risk Management Applications in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing features contributions from leading international experts in risk management and drug manufacturing. These contributions reflect the latest research, practices, and industry standards as well as the authors' firsthand experience. Readers can turn to the book for: Basic foundation of risk management principles, practices, and applications Tested and proven tools and methods for managing risk in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical product manufacturing processes Recent FDA guidelines, EU regulations, and international standards governing the application of risk management to drug manufacturing Case studies and detailed examples demonstrating the use and results of applying risk management principles to drug product manufacturing Bibliography and extensive references leading to the literature and helpful resources in the field With its unique focus on the application of risk management to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, this book is an essential resource for pharmaceutical and process engineers as well as safety and compliance professionals involved in drug manufacturing.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470552344
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 432
Book Description
Sets forth tested and proven risk management practices in drug manufacturing Risk management is essential for safe and efficient pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, control, and distribution. With this book as their guide, readers involved in all facets of drug manufacturing have a single, expertly written, and organized resource to guide them through all facets of risk management and analysis. It sets forth a solid foundation in risk management concepts and then explains how these concepts are applied to drug manufacturing. Risk Management Applications in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing features contributions from leading international experts in risk management and drug manufacturing. These contributions reflect the latest research, practices, and industry standards as well as the authors' firsthand experience. Readers can turn to the book for: Basic foundation of risk management principles, practices, and applications Tested and proven tools and methods for managing risk in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical product manufacturing processes Recent FDA guidelines, EU regulations, and international standards governing the application of risk management to drug manufacturing Case studies and detailed examples demonstrating the use and results of applying risk management principles to drug product manufacturing Bibliography and extensive references leading to the literature and helpful resources in the field With its unique focus on the application of risk management to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, this book is an essential resource for pharmaceutical and process engineers as well as safety and compliance professionals involved in drug manufacturing.
Sharing Clinical Research Data
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309268745
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 157
Book Description
Pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health all possess large quantities of clinical research data. If these data were shared more widely within and across sectors, the resulting research advances derived from data pooling and analysis could improve public health, enhance patient safety, and spur drug development. Data sharing can also increase public trust in clinical trials and conclusions derived from them by lending transparency to the clinical research process. Much of this information, however, is never shared. Retention of clinical research data by investigators and within organizations may represent lost opportunities in biomedical research. Despite the potential benefits that could be accrued from pooling and analysis of shared data, barriers to data sharing faced by researchers in industry include concerns about data mining, erroneous secondary analyses of data, and unwarranted litigation, as well as a desire to protect confidential commercial information. Academic partners face significant cultural barriers to sharing data and participating in longer term collaborative efforts that stem from a desire to protect intellectual autonomy and a career advancement system built on priority of publication and citation requirements. Some barriers, like the need to protect patient privacy, pre- sent challenges for both sectors. Looking ahead, there are also a number of technical challenges to be faced in analyzing potentially large and heterogeneous datasets. This public workshop focused on strategies to facilitate sharing of clinical research data in order to advance scientific knowledge and public health. While the workshop focused on sharing of data from preplanned interventional studies of human subjects, models and projects involving sharing of other clinical data types were considered to the extent that they provided lessons learned and best practices. The workshop objectives were to examine the benefits of sharing of clinical research data from all sectors and among these sectors, including, for example: benefits to the research and development enterprise and benefits to the analysis of safety and efficacy. Sharing Clinical Research Data: Workshop Summary identifies barriers and challenges to sharing clinical research data, explores strategies to address these barriers and challenges, including identifying priority actions and "low-hanging fruit" opportunities, and discusses strategies for using these potentially large datasets to facilitate scientific and public health advances.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309268745
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 157
Book Description
Pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health all possess large quantities of clinical research data. If these data were shared more widely within and across sectors, the resulting research advances derived from data pooling and analysis could improve public health, enhance patient safety, and spur drug development. Data sharing can also increase public trust in clinical trials and conclusions derived from them by lending transparency to the clinical research process. Much of this information, however, is never shared. Retention of clinical research data by investigators and within organizations may represent lost opportunities in biomedical research. Despite the potential benefits that could be accrued from pooling and analysis of shared data, barriers to data sharing faced by researchers in industry include concerns about data mining, erroneous secondary analyses of data, and unwarranted litigation, as well as a desire to protect confidential commercial information. Academic partners face significant cultural barriers to sharing data and participating in longer term collaborative efforts that stem from a desire to protect intellectual autonomy and a career advancement system built on priority of publication and citation requirements. Some barriers, like the need to protect patient privacy, pre- sent challenges for both sectors. Looking ahead, there are also a number of technical challenges to be faced in analyzing potentially large and heterogeneous datasets. This public workshop focused on strategies to facilitate sharing of clinical research data in order to advance scientific knowledge and public health. While the workshop focused on sharing of data from preplanned interventional studies of human subjects, models and projects involving sharing of other clinical data types were considered to the extent that they provided lessons learned and best practices. The workshop objectives were to examine the benefits of sharing of clinical research data from all sectors and among these sectors, including, for example: benefits to the research and development enterprise and benefits to the analysis of safety and efficacy. Sharing Clinical Research Data: Workshop Summary identifies barriers and challenges to sharing clinical research data, explores strategies to address these barriers and challenges, including identifying priority actions and "low-hanging fruit" opportunities, and discusses strategies for using these potentially large datasets to facilitate scientific and public health advances.
Therapeutic Risk Management of Medicines
Author: Stephen J. Mayall
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1908818271
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
Therapeutic risk management of medicines is an authoritative and practical guide on developing, implementing and evaluating risk management plans for medicines globally. It explains how to assess risks and benefit-risk balance, design and roll out risk minimisation and pharmacovigilance activities, and interact effectively with key stakeholders.A more systematic approach for managing the risks of medicines arose following a number of high-profile drug safety incidents and a need for better access to effective but potentially risky treatments. Regulatory requirements have evolved rapidly over the past decade. Risk management plans (RMPs) are mandatory for new medicinal products in the EU and a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is needed for certain drugs in the US.This book is an easy-to-read resource that complements current regulatory guidance, by exploring key areas and practical implications in greater detail. It is structured into chapters encompassing a background to therapeutic risk management, strategies for developing RMPs, implementation of RMPs, and the continuing evolution of the risk management field.The topic is of critical importance not only to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, but also regulators and healthcare policymakers.Some chapters feature contributions from selected industry experts. - An up-to-date practical guide on conceiving, designing, and implementing global therapeutic risk management plans for medicines - A number of useful frameworks are presented which add impact to RMPs (Risk Management Plans), together with regional specific information (European Union, United States, and Japan) - A comprehensive guide for performing risk management more effectively throughout a product's life-cycle
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1908818271
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
Therapeutic risk management of medicines is an authoritative and practical guide on developing, implementing and evaluating risk management plans for medicines globally. It explains how to assess risks and benefit-risk balance, design and roll out risk minimisation and pharmacovigilance activities, and interact effectively with key stakeholders.A more systematic approach for managing the risks of medicines arose following a number of high-profile drug safety incidents and a need for better access to effective but potentially risky treatments. Regulatory requirements have evolved rapidly over the past decade. Risk management plans (RMPs) are mandatory for new medicinal products in the EU and a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is needed for certain drugs in the US.This book is an easy-to-read resource that complements current regulatory guidance, by exploring key areas and practical implications in greater detail. It is structured into chapters encompassing a background to therapeutic risk management, strategies for developing RMPs, implementation of RMPs, and the continuing evolution of the risk management field.The topic is of critical importance not only to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, but also regulators and healthcare policymakers.Some chapters feature contributions from selected industry experts. - An up-to-date practical guide on conceiving, designing, and implementing global therapeutic risk management plans for medicines - A number of useful frameworks are presented which add impact to RMPs (Risk Management Plans), together with regional specific information (European Union, United States, and Japan) - A comprehensive guide for performing risk management more effectively throughout a product's life-cycle
Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309145449
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 436
Book Description
Collaborations of physicians and researchers with industry can provide valuable benefits to society, particularly in the translation of basic scientific discoveries to new therapies and products. Recent reports and news stories have, however, documented disturbing examples of relationships and practices that put at risk the integrity of medical research, the objectivity of professional education, the quality of patient care, the soundness of clinical practice guidelines, and the public's trust in medicine. Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice provides a comprehensive look at conflict of interest in medicine. It offers principles to inform the design of policies to identify, limit, and manage conflicts of interest without damaging constructive collaboration with industry. It calls for both short-term actions and long-term commitments by institutions and individuals, including leaders of academic medical centers, professional societies, patient advocacy groups, government agencies, and drug, device, and pharmaceutical companies. Failure of the medical community to take convincing action on conflicts of interest invites additional legislative or regulatory measures that may be overly broad or unduly burdensome. Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice makes several recommendations for strengthening conflict of interest policies and curbing relationships that create risks with little benefit. The book will serve as an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations committed to high ethical standards in all realms of medicine.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309145449
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 436
Book Description
Collaborations of physicians and researchers with industry can provide valuable benefits to society, particularly in the translation of basic scientific discoveries to new therapies and products. Recent reports and news stories have, however, documented disturbing examples of relationships and practices that put at risk the integrity of medical research, the objectivity of professional education, the quality of patient care, the soundness of clinical practice guidelines, and the public's trust in medicine. Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice provides a comprehensive look at conflict of interest in medicine. It offers principles to inform the design of policies to identify, limit, and manage conflicts of interest without damaging constructive collaboration with industry. It calls for both short-term actions and long-term commitments by institutions and individuals, including leaders of academic medical centers, professional societies, patient advocacy groups, government agencies, and drug, device, and pharmaceutical companies. Failure of the medical community to take convincing action on conflicts of interest invites additional legislative or regulatory measures that may be overly broad or unduly burdensome. Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice makes several recommendations for strengthening conflict of interest policies and curbing relationships that create risks with little benefit. The book will serve as an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations committed to high ethical standards in all realms of medicine.
Regulating Medicines in a Globalized World
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309498635
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
Globalization is rapidly changing lives and industries around the world. Drug development, authorization, and regulatory supervision have become international endeavors, with most medicines becoming global commodities. Drug companies utilize global supply chains that often include facilities in countries with inconsistent regulations from those of the United States, perform pivotal trials in multiple countries to support registration submissions in various jurisdictions, and subsequently market their medicines throughout most of the world. These companies operate across borders and require individual national regulators to ensure that drugs authorized for use in their countries are safe and effective, and appropriate for their health care system and their population. This process involves significant resources and often duplicative work. It is important to consider how this process can be improved in order to better allocate resources, time, and efforts to improve public health. Regulating Medicines in a Globalized World: The Need for Increased Reliance Among Regulators considers the role of mutual recognition and other reliance activities among regulators in contributing to enhancing public health. This report identifies opportunities for leveraging reliance activities more broadly in order to potentially impact public health globally. Key topics in this report include the job of medicines regulators in today's world, what policy makers need to know about today's regulatory environment, stakeholder views of recognition and reliance, as well as removing impediments and facilitating action for greater recognition and reliance among regulatory authorities.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309498635
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 169
Book Description
Globalization is rapidly changing lives and industries around the world. Drug development, authorization, and regulatory supervision have become international endeavors, with most medicines becoming global commodities. Drug companies utilize global supply chains that often include facilities in countries with inconsistent regulations from those of the United States, perform pivotal trials in multiple countries to support registration submissions in various jurisdictions, and subsequently market their medicines throughout most of the world. These companies operate across borders and require individual national regulators to ensure that drugs authorized for use in their countries are safe and effective, and appropriate for their health care system and their population. This process involves significant resources and often duplicative work. It is important to consider how this process can be improved in order to better allocate resources, time, and efforts to improve public health. Regulating Medicines in a Globalized World: The Need for Increased Reliance Among Regulators considers the role of mutual recognition and other reliance activities among regulators in contributing to enhancing public health. This report identifies opportunities for leveraging reliance activities more broadly in order to potentially impact public health globally. Key topics in this report include the job of medicines regulators in today's world, what policy makers need to know about today's regulatory environment, stakeholder views of recognition and reliance, as well as removing impediments and facilitating action for greater recognition and reliance among regulatory authorities.
Pharmaceutical R&D
Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 9780788104688
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 380
Book Description
Analyzes the costs, risks, and economic rewards of pharmaceutical R&D and the impact of public policy on both costs and returns. Examines the rapid increase in pharmaceutical R&D that began in the 1980s in the light of trends in science, technology, drug discovery, and health insurance coverage; Government regulation; product liability; market competition; Federal tax policy; and Federal support of prescription drug research. 12 appendices, including a glossary of terms.
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 9780788104688
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 380
Book Description
Analyzes the costs, risks, and economic rewards of pharmaceutical R&D and the impact of public policy on both costs and returns. Examines the rapid increase in pharmaceutical R&D that began in the 1980s in the light of trends in science, technology, drug discovery, and health insurance coverage; Government regulation; product liability; market competition; Federal tax policy; and Federal support of prescription drug research. 12 appendices, including a glossary of terms.
WHO guideline on country pharmaceutical pricing policies
Author:
Publisher: World Health Organization
ISBN: 9240011870
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 70
Book Description
In recent years, high prices of pharmaceutical products have posed challenges in high- and low-income countries alike. In many instances, high prices of pharmaceutical products have led to significant financial hardship for individuals and negatively impacted on healthcare systems' ability to provide population-wide access to essential medicines. Pharmaceutical pricing policies need to be carefully planned, carried out, and regularly checked and revised according to changing conditions. Strong, well-thought-out policies can guide well-informed and balanced decisions to achieve affordable access to essential health products. This guideline replaces the 2015 WHO guideline on country pharmaceutical pricing policies, revised to reflect the growing body of literature since the last evidence review in 2010. This update also recognizes country experiences in managing the prices of pharmaceutical products.
Publisher: World Health Organization
ISBN: 9240011870
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 70
Book Description
In recent years, high prices of pharmaceutical products have posed challenges in high- and low-income countries alike. In many instances, high prices of pharmaceutical products have led to significant financial hardship for individuals and negatively impacted on healthcare systems' ability to provide population-wide access to essential medicines. Pharmaceutical pricing policies need to be carefully planned, carried out, and regularly checked and revised according to changing conditions. Strong, well-thought-out policies can guide well-informed and balanced decisions to achieve affordable access to essential health products. This guideline replaces the 2015 WHO guideline on country pharmaceutical pricing policies, revised to reflect the growing body of literature since the last evidence review in 2010. This update also recognizes country experiences in managing the prices of pharmaceutical products.
The Changing Economics of Medical Technology
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030904491X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Americans praise medical technology for saving lives and improving health. Yet, new technology is often cited as a key factor in skyrocketing medical costs. This volume, second in the Medical Innovation at the Crossroads series, examines how economic incentives for innovation are changing and what that means for the future of health care. Up-to-date with a wide variety of examples and case studies, this book explores how payment, patent, and regulatory policiesâ€"as well as the involvement of numerous government agenciesâ€"affect the introduction and use of new pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical procedures. The volume also includes detailed comparisons of policies and patterns of technological innovation in Western Europe and Japan. This fact-filled and practical book will be of interest to economists, policymakers, health administrators, health care practitioners, and the concerned public.
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030904491X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Americans praise medical technology for saving lives and improving health. Yet, new technology is often cited as a key factor in skyrocketing medical costs. This volume, second in the Medical Innovation at the Crossroads series, examines how economic incentives for innovation are changing and what that means for the future of health care. Up-to-date with a wide variety of examples and case studies, this book explores how payment, patent, and regulatory policiesâ€"as well as the involvement of numerous government agenciesâ€"affect the introduction and use of new pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical procedures. The volume also includes detailed comparisons of policies and patterns of technological innovation in Western Europe and Japan. This fact-filled and practical book will be of interest to economists, policymakers, health administrators, health care practitioners, and the concerned public.