Science, pharmacoeconomics and ethics in drug R&D: a sustainable future scenario?

The costs associated with the development of new drugs have increased dramatically in recent years, and fewer truly innovative drugs are making their way to the market. The reversal of this trend has therefore become an urgent priority for the pharmaceutical industry. What are the factors that contribute to these costs, and to what extent can they be effectively controlled? Does the solution lie in new technologies? How is the industry dealing with these problems? And what are the ethical implications of these trends?