The decline in new drug development

The future depends on innovation, not imitation. New drug development can be encouraged in a number of ways (Table 4), and the rewards are great. Who knows what dramatic drug discoveries remain to be found in a new synthetic compound, a fresh soil sample, or a plant obtained from some pristine forest? In any event, let us all hope that the molecular roulette that has governed drug development in the past will be replaced by a more rational, and less empirical, approach.