FDA Drug Approvals Outpace Canada, Europe, Study Finds

Between 2001 and 2010, FDA approved more new drugs in less time than regulators in Europe and Canada, according to a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The median time for FDA to review a drug was about 10-and-a-half months, which was about 45 to 70 days faster than the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada. FDA reviewed nearly 225 drug applications over the decade, 40 more than EMA and nearly 125 more than HC.

• "Study: U.S. Clears Drugs Faster Than Europe, Canada" (Perrone, AP/Sacramento Bee, 5/16).