Regulation of the pharmaceutical industry

How are pharmaceutical technologies developed and controlled in our societies? To what extent should the availability of these technologies be determined by scientific experts, a democratic state, the interests of final users, or ethical principles? This unique collection brings together the work of social scientists, ethicists, lawyers and policy analysts on regulation, ethics and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Regulatory systems and their implications for public health in North America, Europe and developing countries are discussed, including case studies of norplant, interferon and anti-fertility vaccines.