Summary

Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry traces the discovery and development of drugs in Japan and the UK both historically and sociologically. It includes sixteen case studies of major pharmaceutical developments in the twentieth century, encompassing, amongst others, beta-blockers, beta-stimulants, inhaled steroids and histamine H2-antagonists.

The book illustrates that the four stages of drug development - namely compound, application, organisational authorisation and market - are interactively shaped by heterogeneous actors and institutions. The book also identifies three different types of pharmaceutical development - paradigmatic innovation, application innovation and modification-based innovation, all with distinguishable features in the drug development process. Finally, several historical, structural and cultural factors influencing the shaping of medicines are revealed by the comparison between British and Japanese drug innovation.

Addressing a number of practical implications for the promotion of the pharmaceutical industry, this book will be of enormous interest to students, researchers and academics specialising in science and technology, and the management of technology and innovation. Practitioners, managers, and policy planners within the pharmaceutical industry will also deem this book invaluable.