The launch and diffusion of new patented medicines by therapeutic value

Evidence on the launch and diffusion of therapeutically important new medicines is limited. We examined the launch and diffusion of new patented medicines in 14 countries by therapeutic value.

We analyzed IQVIA MIDAS® quarterly sales data for 422 patented molecules first launched between 2013 and 2021 in any of 14 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and followed them for at least 2 years. Therapeutic value for each molecule was obtained from rating agencies in Canada, Germany, France, and the United States.

Our main time-to-launch analysis showed that, compared with molecules offering major incremental benefit, those with moderate benefit were launched more quickly in several countries, including Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Molecules with little to no benefit were launched even more rapidly in the Netherlands. However, once launched, market share by volume did not change significantly over the first 5 years regardless of therapeutic value level in each country.

New patented medicines with major incremental therapeutic benefit might not always be launched faster than other medicines. Strategies to balance pricing with adoption and diffusion warrant further investigation.