Study: Planned budget cuts would hurt drug development badly

According to a new study, planned budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) could significantly hinder drug development efforts. The study found that a significant portion of drug patents frequently cite research that the NIH would not be able to fund due to the proposed budget cuts. The research examined over 40,000 drug patents and found that around 30% of them cited at least one NIH-funded study. This indicates that a substantial amount of the research underlying new drug development relies on funding from the NIH. The study's authors warn that the proposed budget cuts to the NIH could lead to a substantial decline in the pace of new drug discoveries and approvals. This could have far-reaching consequences for public health and the pharmaceutical industry. The findings highlight the crucial role the NIH plays in supporting the research and development necessary for the creation of new medicines. As policymakers consider budget decisions, the study underscores the potential negative impact that cuts to the NIH could have on the future of drug development.