The Benefits and Savings of Publicly-Funded Clinical Trials of Prescription Drugs


 

Publication Date:

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): Dean Baker

Research Area: Manufacturing and industry

Keywords: Clinical drug trials; Public health; Medication costs

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This paper proposes publicly funding prescription drug trials as an alternative to the present system wherein pharmaceutical companies often finance and conduct tests of their drugs themselves. The report posits that in addition to substantial savings for the government, independent companies working under long-term federal contracts would result in full and accurate disclosure of the results of drug testing.