R & D downturn by German pharma

The Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA) reports that the outlook is bleak for the German pharmaceutical industry in 2002, as many companies plan to decrease R&D spending in Germany while raising it abroad.

Indeed, VFA last week reported that only 42% of its 44 member companies plan to raise R&D expenditures in Germany in 2002 - compared to 74% for 2001 - while nearly 82% announced they would boost R&D spending abroad next year...