FDA Has Shortened Drug Review Time, But Tighter Regulations in 2007 Could Slow Approval Process
The United Press International article "Analysis: FDA Approving More Drugs" reports that, although the FDA "has been picking up its pace for approving new drugs," a factor that could bode well for the pharmaceutical industry in 2007, tighter controls launched next year by the Democratic majority could slow the drug approval process. Thus far, October has been the busiest month of 2006, with fifteen new drug application approvals and five new molecular entity approvals.
Despite the shift in power, some projections still estimate that the industry could see five to six percent growth, but new product launches may remain constant. The article also speculates that health information technology companies will benefit from stronger regulatory measures.
