Are novel drugs more risky for patients than less novel drugs?

The Quantity And Quality Of Worldwide New Drug Introductions, 1982–2003

“…At the same time, innovative NCEs may be subject to above-average risks compared to less innovative ones. 36 Risks of new drugs will not become fully known until after widespread use. Thus, it is important to develop a diligent postmarketing surveillance system to monitor such risks and to educate physicians as information becomes available.…”

A Global Comparison Between Brand-Name and Generic Drugs

“…This further escalates the initial costs of these firms. 13 While firms producing brand-name drugs must commit large sums of money into development and marketing costs, their investments yield significant revenues during, as well as after, the patent period of the drug. This has been revealed by several studies, one of which examined the sales of Fosamax, a drug that yielded sales of $3 billion in the year 2007 alone.…”

Global Drug Discovery: Europe Is Ahead

“…22 As a result, the vast majority of new drugs that constitute 80 percent of U.S. pharmaceutical costs offer few therapeutic advantages and greater risks than good drugs discovered in prior years. 23 High prices for these new drugs enable companies to spend two and a half times more on marketing than on R&D, to persuade physicians to prescribe them and patients to want them. 24 Thus, current incentives reward better marketing more than better value.…”