The life history of a drug It is counted by years, even decades. To begin with, from when the first idea arises or the final molecule is designed until it is approved and reaches the patient, it can take about 10 years. And then, on the street, he gets to have as many lives as his abilities (and the regulatory agencies) allow. Pembrolizumab, for example, was a very novel immunotherapy that changed, first, the prognosis of melanoma and is now also indicated for lung cancer, lymphoma, kidney, breast and colon tumors, among others. Regulatory agencies have been giving their approval and the drug is used in clinical practice for these clinical conditions. But not all drugs have that full life and nor does the endorsement of the authorities imply, de facto, great real benefits for patients.
