کشف دارو: از بالین تا وال استریت (کشف دارو)

Everyone expects something from the drug industry. Physicians and patients, investors, regulators and administrators all have an active interest. Everyone wants to know what makes drugs ‘work’ medically and economically. Why are drugs so expensive? Is it the drug companies or investors who demand high profits? What governs the pharmacoeconomics? Why are so few diseases treatable? This book opens the windows and doors of the industry telling the story of drug development by using real stories from inside the process. * Co-written by Graham Lees and Tamas Bartfai who has been involved in the development of drugs taken by more that 20 million people every day * Opens the windows and doors of the most regulated industry in the world, the pharmaceutical industry * Tells the story of drug development by using real examples based on current research and events * Provides an objective, lucid account of the successes and failures, shortcomings and constraints of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries * Gives insights into the development of new drugs to combat multiple conditions including cancer and pain * Balanced, unbiased account of how better to translate basic science into drug discovery Doody Review Services Reviewer: Albert I Wertheimer, BS, MBA, PhD(Temple University School of Pharmacy) Description: The authors suggest that this book opens the door of the pharmaceutical industry for the reader to have a complete view of the drug development process. That is partially true since a great deal of inside information is provided, but nearly all of it already has been published in newspapers, newsmagazines, government reports, and in other media over the last decade. For a reader with no personal experience in the industry, the book offers a view not always seen of the various phases of the drug development process. I detected a certain cynical tone throughout the book. Purpose: Some people probably see the research-intensive pharmaceutical industry as a gift from the heavens, a group of people who come together to end suffering, pain, and disease, while others see the industry as a gang of robbers who demand too-high prices and who conduct research only in areas where huge markets exist in wealthy countries, ignoring the needs of the developing world. The authors show us that there is a bit of both sides in the industry. Going beyond those issues are superb chapters on how drug products are selected or rejected for marketing. Similarly, there are excellent and informative chapters on clinical trials, biotechnology products, mergers, dealing with the FDA, and pharmacoeconomics, for a few examples. The book is needed because it takes an unorthodox approach to the questions and offers a superb collection of citations from the international literature. Audience: It is difficult to suggest who the ideal readers are. Graduate students in pharmacy, public health, and health economics are obvious groups that come to mind. The book could possibly be a suitable primer for training new hires in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. It would not suffice if one were to read one book to learn about the structure and functioning of the pharmaceutical industry. However, if one was already knowledgeable about the industry, it makes an excellent source to use in testing one's opinions and impressions about the behavior of the industry. A wide array of readers would find the book readable and understandable, from undergraduate students to policy wonks, legislators, and healthcare practitioners. The authors are accurate in their assessments and would be considered credible authorities. Perhaps the biggest flaw in the book also determines its readership. It does not always present both sides of a story and therefore would be lauded by consumer advocacy groups and probably attacked by leaders of the industry. Features: Probably, the most valuable features of the book are the explanations in simple terms of complex biotechnology and manufacturing and developmental activities undertaken by the industry. The book goes into detail found in few others. Most books about industry practices assume an understanding of those practices. Here, a relative novice may learn about economic pressures, pricing considerations, and political influences and find an in-depth treatise on the pharmaceutical market. Tables, figures, and boxed explanations are abundant throughout. The index is adequate if one is seeking an explanation of a specific term, process, or policy. It has ample citations and footnotes for those readers who elect to delve into a subject further. The book is almost exclusively focused on the United States, so readers interested in a pharmaceutical development in Europe will have to continue searching for the right sourcebook. Assessment: I enjoyed this book. It was refreshing reading about these matters from a different perspective. The critical nature of the book, I would imagine, was intentional to play the proverbial "devil's advocate." This book truly caused me to rethink some attitudes and opinions I have had about pharmaceutical company behavior in the marketplace. It's nice that once in a while such a refreshing publication comes along. Everyone expects something from the drug industry. Physicians and patients, investors, regulators and administrators all have an active interest. Everyone wants to know what makes drugs ‘work'medically and economically. Why are drugs so expensive? Is it the drug companies or investors who demand high profits? What governs the pharmacoeconomics? Why are so few diseases treatable? Drug Discovery opens the windows and doors of the industry telling the story of drug development by using real stories from inside the process. Co-written by Graham Lees and Tamas Bartfai who has been involved in the development of drugs taken by more that 20 million people every day Opens the windows and doors of the most regulated industry in the world, the pharmaceutical industry Tells the story of drug development by using real examples based on current research and events Provides an objective, lucid account of the successes and failures, shortcomings and constraints of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries Gives insights into the development of new drugs to combat multiple conditions including cancer and pain Balanced, unbiased account of how better to translate basic science into drug discovery