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What is Pharmaceutical R&D?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

R&D is an abbreviation for research and development. Research involves studying and developing a deep understanding of an issue. Development is usually a step that seeks to implement new ideas and solutions. Pharmaceutical R&D is research and development that concerns medical care.

The advancements that have been made in medicine and medical technology can often cause people to forget how much is still unknown. There are many problems in the medical industry that are unresolved. There are also areas that could benefit from substantial improvements. Some of these involve processes or resources to detect and prevent illnesses. Some of these involve treatment of illnesses that have been acquired.

Pharmaceutical R&D often seeks to produce new products.
Pharmaceutical R&D often seeks to produce new products.

The treatment of HIV and AIDS is an example. There are medications that help to manage these viruses, but a cure is yet to be found. There are ways to detect these viruses once they are transmitted, but there is not adequate medication to prevent the transmission. Pharmaceutical R&D often tries to tackle such problems.

Efforts in pharmaceutical R&D aim to enhance the quality of medical care so that people can live longer and healthier. This type of work is often undertaken or sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. There are others who may be engaged in these efforts, too, such as universities, hospitals, or private ventures. Some people view pharmaceutical R&D as an investment scheme. When a development is made and approved for use, it can be as rewarding for investors as it can for those suffering from the related medical condition.

Pharmaceutical companies often employ chemists in their R&D departments.
Pharmaceutical companies often employ chemists in their R&D departments.

This does not happen overnight, however. Pharmaceutical R&D is generally a long-term venture. There are many steps in the process between recognizing a problem and putting a solution on the market. The process often involves many failed attempts or periods of stagnant development.

A pharmaceutical R&D team generally includes researchers and scientists. The researchers are usually the people who help the team develop a deeper understanding of the problem. For example, if the team is aiming to find a cure for a disease, the researcher may find all the relevant information on that disease. This information could include transmission, effects, and prevalence. The researcher may also provide information on current methods of treatment and their limitations.

The introduction of protease inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs has made HIV a sometimes chronic condition that does not always progress to AIDS.
The introduction of protease inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs has made HIV a sometimes chronic condition that does not always progress to AIDS.

The scientists may take the information that is provided by the researchers and apply it to their efforts to develop a solution. Their jobs are often very technical and involve a great deal of experimentation. A group of scientists can work on a similar problem but be focused on different issues. For example, some may be focused on how a particular medication affects the disease in question. The others may be focused on how that same medication will affect the person who consumes it.

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    • Pharmaceutical R&D often seeks to produce new products.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Pharmaceutical R&D often seeks to produce new products.
    • Pharmaceutical companies often employ chemists in their R&D departments.
      By: Creativa
      Pharmaceutical companies often employ chemists in their R&D departments.
    • The introduction of protease inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs has made HIV a sometimes chronic condition that does not always progress to AIDS.
      By: danilkorolev
      The introduction of protease inhibitors and antiretroviral drugs has made HIV a sometimes chronic condition that does not always progress to AIDS.
    • There are medications that help manage certain viruses, and researchers continue to seek cures and preventive drugs.
      By: Lambros Kazan
      There are medications that help manage certain viruses, and researchers continue to seek cures and preventive drugs.
    • The pharmaceutical industry is often criticized for influencing doctors to prescribe brand-name medications instead of generics, which are less expensive.
      By: Kurhan
      The pharmaceutical industry is often criticized for influencing doctors to prescribe brand-name medications instead of generics, which are less expensive.
    • Pharmaceutical research and development may evaluate the effectiveness of a given generic drug.
      By: Burlingham
      Pharmaceutical research and development may evaluate the effectiveness of a given generic drug.
    • Pharmaceutical R&D includes examining potential side effects from medications.
      By: Vasiliy Koval
      Pharmaceutical R&D includes examining potential side effects from medications.