Pharma Scientists Reflection on R&D in Nepalese Pharmaceuticals : A Qualitative Study

Pharmaceutical companies are greatly regulated and monitored by both the government and the public. R&D is mandatory, core, and plays a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry. Considering this aspect, a qualitative study is done taking information from eleven key pharma scientists from four different pharmaceutical companies. The key participants for this study were Nepalese pharmaceutical scientists who were engaged in the R & D department. In addition to this, the expertise of quality control, quality assurance, production, and pharmaceuticals leaders specific to pharma executives were also taken into consideration. The study findings are categorized into four themes consisting of R&D challenges, factors influencing R&D, R&D spending, and financial aspects. The study results showed that higher investment for R&D, the complexity of clinical trials, administrative issues in the governing body, low output in research, and reduced R&D efficiency of pharmaceuticals company are the key R&D concern where the expected costs to develop a new drug, anticipated lifetime revenues from a new drug, and policies and programs that influence the supply of and demand for prescription drugs are the factors influencing R&D.The study concluded that the portion of the pharmaceutical industry requires innovation, investment, and intelligence for the expected level of research and development. Further, R&D is not as such R&D in Nepalese pharmaceuticals as the true amount of investment is still the prime concern for exploiting the effective rate of return from drug manufacturing