Better, Faster, Safer

How America Remains the Global Drug Superpower

Exploring why innovation, regulation, and global rivalry will decide the future of American medicine.

The United States has historically led the world in developing new medicines, from pioneering antibiotics and vaccines to launching the biotechnology revolution. Yet today, that position is slipping. China and India now lead in clinical trials, American drug approvals increasingly involve “me-too” drugs with narrow benefits, and regulatory timelines have stretched to 15–20 years and costs beyond $2 billion per therapy.

America is on the cusp of a drug development crisis. Despite incredible scientific discoveries and unparalleled resources, our regulatory framework produces too few breakthroughs and discourages innovation. The paradox is that the solution is within reach: with relatively modest regulatory changes, the U.S. could see immediate impact in accelerating drug approvals, lowering costs, and restoring global leadership.

Better, Faster, Safer explores the history of drug development and offers practical recommendations for immediate and lasting impact.

Inside the race to modernize U.S. drug development—and secure America’s leadership in the age of AI, biotech, and global competition