The role of scientific research in the field of medicines and the development of the pharmaceutical industry

Background: Approximately 91% of drugs are imported, some of which are quite expensive and unaffordable for the majority of the population. The process of drug development, i. e. the pathway from synthesis of active substance to drug, its implementation in the clinic, is quite complicated and long-lasting, of great responsibility and particularly costly, requires enormous investment. The manufacture and implementation of the medicine in the medical practice creates great difficulties in starting it. Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies from the country with modest profitability are unable or unwilling to invest financial resources in scientific research – an important stage in the development of medicines and in ensuring the beneficial activity of the concerned institutions.

Conclusions: National industry must be focused on the modern manufacturing medicine, competitive and effective medicines from local raw material and first of all on the needs of the health system in the country. The situation requires insistence and can only be improved by a joint activity of specialists in many fields (production, distribution and rational use) and strengthening the research-development and coordination forces of the scientific activities in the country for research, development and implementation of new native original drugs, mainly based on local raw materials. Thus, in finalizing the analysis of the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the economic development of the state, it is necessary to mention the important social aspect of it, the close interrelation with other branches of industry, as well as the high innovation and investment capability.