New drug introduction 1973-1974

P. de Haen

A review of the number of newly synthesized drugs introduced in the United States during the years 1973 and 1974 reveals that there has been an encouraging improvement in comparison with the previous two-year period. The number for 1971 to 1972 was 25, and for 1973 to 1974, thirty-seven. These drugs can be grouped into nine major therapeutic classifications. Some represent real advances in therapy; others enable the physician to vary his therapeutic regimen. In 1974, of all new and refill prescriptions, 68% were filled with 200 drugs. Of these, 126 contain one active ingredient, and 76 products contain more than one. The number of prescriptions written for each group is in close relationship to the number of drug products in each class.