Page 15 - Drug Discovery and Development: Prospects and Challenges

Drug Discovery and Development: Prospects and Challenges / 5

source of trees, which contributed to the global supply of medicinal and
aromatic plants (Figure 3). In the current scenario, we should focus our
attention on the crucial yet delicate relationship between traditional medicine
and modern therapy. Would we be able to guarantee the sustainability of
traditional and alternative drug sources from nature given the increasing
concern over the global environmental crisis, such as deforestation and
climate change? According to reports, the rate of deforestation between
2015 and 2020 is expected to reach 10 million hectares per year, while
primary forests have been reduced by nearly 80 million hectares owing to
the rapid agricultural growth since 1990 (FAO, 2020).

Figure 3: Ten countries with the most tree species (FAO, 2020)
Figure 3: Ten countries with the most tree species (FAO, 2020)

Recent studies have shown that more than 1,400 tree species are critically endangered (FAO,
Recent studies have shown that more than 1,400 tree species are
2020). Without a mitigation strategy, the main sources of traditional medicines, such as plants and
critically endangered (FAO, 2020). Without a mitigation strategy, the
their ecosystem, may face an inevitable extinction in the near future. Hence, sustainable effort must be
main sources of traditional medicines, such as plants and their ecosystem,
in line with each country's policy with the full support of the United Nations to avoid such catastrophic
may face an inevitable extinction in the near future. Hence, sustainable
loss of flora and fauna.
effort must be in line with each country’s policy with the full support of

the United Nations to avoid such catastrophic loss of flora and fauna.
Brothers and sisters,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brothers and sisters,
PROGRESS IN PHARMACEUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The development process of a new drug from the initial stage to launching a finished product
in the market is very complex, which could take 12–15 years and cost over USD 1 billion (Hughes et
Progress in Pharmaceutical Development
al., 2011). Despite its high cost and high-risk features, the global pharmaceutical market has
experienced tremendous market growth in recent years. As of the end of 2019, the pharmaceutical
The development process of a new drug from the initial stage to launching
market value was recorded at a staggering USD 1.25 trillion, which saw a significant jump from 2001
a finished product in the market is very complex, which could take 12–15
when the market value was only USD 390 billion (Mikulic, 2021). The United States remains the main
player in the global pharmaceutical market, followed by a group of emerging markets, such as Brazil,
India, Russia, Colombia, and Egypt.
The Johnson & Johnson Company gained the highest revenue in 2020 in which the
pharmaceutical division's revenues increased by 3.6%, driven by immunology (USD 13.95 billion) and

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