Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a characteristic of generic drugs?
Which of the following is a characteristic of generic drugs?
What distinguishes small molecule drugs from biologics?
What distinguishes small molecule drugs from biologics?
What percentage of government expenditure on PBS was estimated for the year 2019-2020 in Australia?
What percentage of government expenditure on PBS was estimated for the year 2019-2020 in Australia?
Which of the following companies is NOT among the top pharmaceutical companies mentioned?
Which of the following companies is NOT among the top pharmaceutical companies mentioned?
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Which term describes drugs that are produced with the process being part of their identity?
Which term describes drugs that are produced with the process being part of their identity?
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Which statement best describes the role of 'Big Pharma'?
Which statement best describes the role of 'Big Pharma'?
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What is a common characteristic of non-research-based pharmaceutical companies?
What is a common characteristic of non-research-based pharmaceutical companies?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between originator drugs and generics?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between originator drugs and generics?
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Which drug had the highest lifetime sales in the pharmaceutical industry as of the latest data?
Which drug had the highest lifetime sales in the pharmaceutical industry as of the latest data?
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What year did the patent for Humira expire?
What year did the patent for Humira expire?
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Which company markets Keytruda?
Which company markets Keytruda?
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What is the main therapy area for the drug Imbruvica?
What is the main therapy area for the drug Imbruvica?
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Which drug was launched most recently according to the sales data?
Which drug was launched most recently according to the sales data?
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What key factor is highlighted as crucial for the Pharmaceutical Industry?
What key factor is highlighted as crucial for the Pharmaceutical Industry?
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What was the annual sale figure for Eliquis in 2020?
What was the annual sale figure for Eliquis in 2020?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding Lipitor?
Which of the following statements is true regarding Lipitor?
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What is the first step in the drug discovery process?
What is the first step in the drug discovery process?
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How long does the preclinical stage typically last?
How long does the preclinical stage typically last?
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How many compounds typically enter preclinical testing from the discovery phase?
How many compounds typically enter preclinical testing from the discovery phase?
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What is the typical duration of clinical trials?
What is the typical duration of clinical trials?
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What must happen before a drug can be marketed?
What must happen before a drug can be marketed?
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Which agency is responsible for ensuring drug safety and efficacy in the United States?
Which agency is responsible for ensuring drug safety and efficacy in the United States?
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What is a significant financial aspect of drug development?
What is a significant financial aspect of drug development?
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In the drug development process, what is the primary goal of the clinical trials?
In the drug development process, what is the primary goal of the clinical trials?
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How many drugs are typically approved for marketing out of those screened?
How many drugs are typically approved for marketing out of those screened?
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What is a key challenge in the drug commercialization process?
What is a key challenge in the drug commercialization process?
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What is the effective patent life for pharmaceuticals?
What is the effective patent life for pharmaceuticals?
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Which of the following diseases is an example of one targeted by orphan drugs?
Which of the following diseases is an example of one targeted by orphan drugs?
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Which stage of drug development is NOT conducted by generics?
Which stage of drug development is NOT conducted by generics?
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How long is the standard patent term for pharmaceuticals, including possible extensions?
How long is the standard patent term for pharmaceuticals, including possible extensions?
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What must a generic drug demonstrate to be marketed successfully?
What must a generic drug demonstrate to be marketed successfully?
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What is the primary focus of commercial attractiveness in drug development?
What is the primary focus of commercial attractiveness in drug development?
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Which of the following stages lasts the longest in the drug development process?
Which of the following stages lasts the longest in the drug development process?
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Which of the following statements is true about the patent owner's rights?
Which of the following statements is true about the patent owner's rights?
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What percentage of drugs are estimated to generate enough revenue to cover their development costs?
What percentage of drugs are estimated to generate enough revenue to cover their development costs?
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Which category do most blockbuster drugs commonly target?
Which category do most blockbuster drugs commonly target?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a blockbuster drug?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a blockbuster drug?
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Which drug had the highest peak year sales to 2013?
Which drug had the highest peak year sales to 2013?
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In which year did Humira experience its peak sales?
In which year did Humira experience its peak sales?
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Which of the following biopharmaceuticals is indicated for autoimmune diseases?
Which of the following biopharmaceuticals is indicated for autoimmune diseases?
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What type of drug is Crestor?
What type of drug is Crestor?
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Which drug is used for treating asthma/COPD?
Which drug is used for treating asthma/COPD?
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Which of the following drugs had peak sales in 2010 and is indicated for hypertension?
Which of the following drugs had peak sales in 2010 and is indicated for hypertension?
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What is the common characteristic of the drugs Lipitor and Crestor?
What is the common characteristic of the drugs Lipitor and Crestor?
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Study Notes
Pharmaceutical Industry Overview
- Top pharmaceutical companies include Bayer (Germany), Pfizer (USA), Gilead (USA), AstraZeneca (USA), Alphapharm (RSA), Boehringer (Germany), and Apotex (Canada).
- Distinguishing between overseas and locally owned companies, and between research-based and non-research-based entities.
Generic Drugs
- Generic drugs must demonstrate equivalence to brand-name drugs in dosage, safety, strength, quality, and intended use.
- Originator drugs undergo full research and development (R&D) processes, while generics avoid some phases, focusing on demonstrating therapeutic equivalence.
Drug Types
- Small molecules are chemically synthesized, easily analyzed, and have defined structures; can be generics.
- Biologics are made using living systems; their complexity can complicate characterization, leading to biosimilars.
Medicines in Australia
- Approximately 209 million PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) prescriptions were issued in 2019-2020; around 55% originated from doctor visits.
- Government spending on PBS exceeded $12.5 billion in the same period, covering nearly 89% of the total cost of prescriptions.
Drug Development Phases
- Drug discovery can take 4-8 years, focused on identifying therapeutic targets.
- Preclinical testing involves a year of toxicity and safety assessments.
- Clinical trials span 6.5 years, encompassing three testing phases for safety and efficacy.
- Registration takes 1-2 years for regulatory review and approval before marketing begins.
Drug Development Costs and Success Rates
- Out of 5,000 to 10,000 compounds screened, only about 1 reaches the market, with development costs exceeding $2 billion.
- The financial success of marketed drugs is vital for funding the R&D pipeline, with only 30% generating enough revenue to cover development costs.
Blockbuster Drugs
- Blockbusters are drugs generating over $1 billion annually, often standard treatments for chronic conditions.
- Examples include Lipitor (Pfizer), Humira (AbbVie), and Advair (GSK), with lifetime sales reaching hundreds of billions pre-patent expiration.
Patents and Intellectual Property
- Standard patents last 20 years from filing, with a possible five-year extension for pharmaceuticals, leading to effective patent life of 10-13 years due to time to market.
- Patent ownership grants exclusive commercial rights; details post-filing become public, enabling additional research by others.
Orphan Drugs
- Orphan drugs treat rare diseases affecting less than 5 individuals per 10,000; examples include cystic fibrosis and multiple myeloma.
Commercial Considerations
- Evaluating a drug project's feasibility involves assessing medical need, originality in research, market competition, and potential commercial attractiveness.
- Concerns arise around disease mongering, where conditions are exaggerated for profit, leading to dubious marketing practices.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the pharmaceutical industry, including major companies and the differences between generic and brand-name drugs. Understand the types of drugs and the landscape of medicines in Australia. This quiz covers essential concepts and facts about drug development and distribution.