Do Pharmaceutical Mergers Harm Drug Innovation?

The study investigates the surge in mergers and acquisitions within the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting over 1,300 deals valued at approximately US$ 690 billion from 2000 to 2009. It emphasizes the largest transaction during this period, Pfizer's acquisition of Wyeth for US$ 66.7 billion in 2009. The research explores the motivations behind these significant mergers, particularly as responses to patent expirations, and examines their implications for drug innovation, reflecting on the broader public interest surrounding these transactions.