Introduction of new therapeutic drugs in the United States and Great Britain: An international comparison

The pattern of introduction of new therapeutic drugs in the United States during the decade 1962 to 1971 has been compared with that in Great Britain. Nearly four times as many new drugs became exclusively available in Great Britain as in the United States. Where differences occurred in the introduction dates of mutually introduced drugs, about twice as many were introduced first in Great Britain as introduced first in the United States. When examined by therapeutic category, the drug lag was found to be most marked in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, diuretic, and antibacterial drugs.