Despite huge potential returns from the development of a new drug, there is also substantial risk. It can take more than ten years to see a return, so a company needs strong financial backing to survive the development period. As a result, the development of new pharmaceuticals is almost exclusively in the hands of major European and American multinationals that employ the best people in the field.
研發新藥，報酬高風險也大，動輒長達 10 年以上的投資回收期，沒有絕佳財力熬不過去，因此，國際藥品開發市場幾乎全是歐美跨國集團的禁臠，人才亦然。