Drug therapy today is safer and more efficacious than ever before. There remains, however, an element of unpredictability which seems especially disturbing to those who do not fully appreciate the development process and the diverse problems encountered by the pharmaceutical industry seeking to develop safer medicines. The book provides an account of the evolution of a medicine, from discovery through pharmacological evaluation and clinical testing to regulatory controls. The author deals with post-marketing surveillance and concludes with a discussion of the implications behind the public and media reaction to new medicines. For all health care professionals and everyone involved in the development, formulation and administration of medicines together with potential patients concerned about this important topic, Drug Development is essential reading. This book provides a companion to Walter Sneader's previous title Drug Discovery: The Evolution of Modern Medicines (Wiley, 1985); together they provide a unique perspective of modern drug therapy.