Pharmaceutical industry

It has been estimated that major pharmaceutical companies in the United States spend some $33
billIon per year on drug research and development, while govermment agencies and private
foundations spend another $28 billIon.

Where do the new drugs come from?

According to a study carried out at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, only 33% of new drugs are
entirely synthetic and completely unrelated to any naturally occurring substance. The remaining
67% take their lead, to a greater or lesser extent, from nature.