FDA Approved Fewer New Drugs in 2013 Than in 2012
In 2013, FDA approved 27 first-of-a-kind medications, compared with a 15-year high of 39 approvals in 2012. Over the past five years, FDA has approved an average of 28 first-of-a-kind drugs annually. Experts said the decline in approvals from 2012 was the result of fewer drugs submitted for review.
- "New Drug Approvals From FDA Declined in 2013" (Perrone, AP/ABC News, 1/2).