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

"The Future of Drug Discovery: Who decides which diseases to treat?" provides a timely and detailed look at the efforts of the pharmaceutical industry and how they relate, or should relate, to societal needs. The authors posit that as a result of increasing risk aversion and accelerated savings in research and development, the industry is not developing drugs for increasingly prevalent diseases, such as Alzheimer s disease, untreatable pain, antibiotics and more. This book carefully exposes the gap between the medicines and therapies we need and the current business path. By analyzing the situation and discussing prospects for the next decade, the "The Future of Drug Discovery" is a timely book for all those who care about the development needs for drugs for disease.

This thought-provoking book is the first to: provide an in-depth, broad perspective on the crisis in drug industry expose the disconnect between what society needs and what the drug companies are working on analyse and project over 10 years into the future explain what it means for scientists and society determine what is needed to be done to make sure that the industry responds to society's needs, remains commercially attractive and answers the question as to who decides which diseases to treat"