Can old drugs learn new tricks? Achieving registration and public subsidy listing for off-patent medicines with novel therapeutic applications

With the increasing costs of drug development, repurposing of low-cost medicines for new indications has never been more important. However, there are multiple barriers to repurposing, particularly for off-patent medicines, and limited incentives for the pharmaceutical industry to sponsor registration and public subsidy listing. Here, we explore these barriers and their consequences and provide examples of successful repurposing strategies.

Automated summary

With the rising costs of drug development, the reutilization of low-cost medicines for new indications is becoming increasingly important. However, there are various obstacles to repurposing, especially for off-patent medicines, and limited motivation for the pharmaceutical industry to sponsor registration and public subsidy listing. In this article, we examine these barriers and their implications, and present successful examples of repurposing strategies.