While the innovative pharmaceutical process typically takes between 10 and 15 years from discovery to regulatory approval² – owing to factors including immense R&D costs, regulatory compliance, and the protection of patents³ – the fast-tracked development and approval of Covid-19 vaccines laid bare the need for pharmaceutical companies to be prepared to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks – and this means continued investment in innovation and R&D.  

The pandemic underlined the need for countries to be prepared for outbreaks on the horizon. To ensure we can meet the next challenge, pharmaceutical innovations must match the pace at which diseases mutate. This kind of innovation is non-negotiable and requires continued investment as a safeguard against losing lives and endangering SA’s fragile healthcare system.  

As we are in the midst of a cholera epidemic, as well as the recent measles outbreak⁴, it's important to continue driving innovation to treat diseases, with medicines developed by innovative pharmaceutical companies benefiting millions across the country every day.  

This is evidenced by mortality rates for HIV/Aids and TB in the country falling by 59.2% and 55.7% between 2007 and 2017, with at least 60 new medicines currently in the R&D pipeline to treat TB⁵. 

While patents in pharmaceutical innovation protect the originators’ intellectual property, it is important that innovative medications be developed to ensure a continuous pipeline of access to generics once the patent has lost its exclusivity. This will drive consumer accessibility and affordability of life-saving treatments and medications that may otherwise be unattainable for many.  

As we continue racing against the proverbial clock in protecting against current and future diseases, pharmaceutical companies should continue to invest in innovation and R&D to outsmart existing dreaded diseases and provide agility and preparedness should the next unknown pandemic threaten. Our health, and lives, depend on it.  

REFERENCES: 

1. #AlwaysInnovating: The pharmaceutical innovation journey [Internet]. IFPMA. 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 28]. Available from: https://www.ifpma.org/initiatives/alwaysinnovating/ 
2. Derep M. What’s the average time to bring a drug to market in 2022? [Internet]. N-SIDE; 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 28]. Available from: https://lifesciences.n-side.com/blog/what-is-the-average-time-to-bring-a-drug-to-market-in-2022 
3. Ancliff S. 10 challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry in 2024 [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 29]. Available from: https://blog.i-nexus.com/10-challenges-facing-the-pharmaceutical-industry 
4. Yoganathan V. Prepare for more pandemics in the future, experts warn [Internet]. Juta MedicalBrief. Medical Brief; 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 30]. Available from: https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/prepare-for-more-pandemic-in-the-future-experts-warn/ 
5. South Africa - the innovative hub for pharmaceutical development [Internet]. B2B Central. New Media; 2021 [cited 2023 Jun 29]. Available from: https://www.b2bcentral.co.za/why-south-africa-is-an-innovation-hub-for-pharmaceuticals/