The High Cost of Clinical Research – Who's To Blame And What Can Be Done?

By Ed Miseta, Chief Editor, Clinical Leader

Sergei Varshavsky, senior VP of global strategy for Synergy Research Group (SynRG), believes some of the greatest medicinal discoveries were done for a very low cost. He laments that this is no longer the case. Several factors have come together to drive the cost of new drug discovery to astronomical heights. 

Varshavsky discusses the reasons for the increase that lie with various groups, including the FDA, Big Pharma, and even CROs. Discussing the history of rising costs, alongside a chronology of FDA regulations, he offers reasons for the staggering increases in clinical reseacrh over the years, and gives his own recommendations for what needs to be done to stem the cost increases and bring much needed drugs to the world population. Often outspoken and controversial, Varshavsky does not hold back on pointing the finger of blame at those he finds to be responsible.