Americans have long benefited from America’s leadership in developing new medicines, spurring innovation and jobs and protecting the nation’s economic security. New data shows that Americans overwhelmingly value U.S. pharmaceutical leadership and acknowledge the stakes of falling behind are high.
As the latest Patient Experience Survey from PhRMA/Ipsos shows, Americans want policymakers to prioritize policies that continue to protect American innovation, strengthen research and manufacturing at home, and ensure patients continue to benefit from early access to lifesaving treatments.
Americans value medical innovation and want it to stay in the United States. For most Americans, the importance of U.S. leadership in medical innovation is both practical and personal. Nearly eight in 10 Americans (79%) say it is important that the United States is the global leader in developing new medicines. Large majorities say U.S. leadership is important for:
- Developing new medicines (90%)
- Giving Americans early access to new treatments (86%)
- Manufacturing medicines in the United States (83%)
- Competing globally in pharmaceutical innovation (82%)
- Ensuring American patients can participate in the newest clinical trials (83%)
This leadership matters and resonates deeply with Americans when they think about their own health. Nearly nine in 10 Americans (87%) agree that if they became seriously ill, they would want to be treated in the United States. This reflects a broad understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and its ability to deliver tangible benefits to patients and the country as a whole. Americans recognize these strengths and agree that:
- We should invest in pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing because it creates good jobs (86%)
- Maintaining pharmaceutical leadership protects the United States from dependence on other countries for medicines (82%)
- Agree medical innovation is strategically important to our national security (76%)
Americans express worry about the consequences if the country loses ground on medical innovation. U.S. leadership in medical innovation is critical. If the United States were to lose ground, Americans see the following consequences as likely outcomes:
- Slower access to new medicines for patients (78%)
- Becoming dependent on foreign countries for medicines (77%)
- Losing the ability to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials (74%)
- Weaker responses to pandemics and public health emergencies (74%)
- Fewer new treatments for serious diseases (74%)
- Loss of high-paying jobs (71%)
The message is clear: Protect American innovation in medicine research, development and manufacturing. Americans understand how pharmaceutical innovation delivers lifesaving treatments, economic growth and global competitiveness. Protecting innovation isn’t just about science; it’s about safeguarding America’s health, prosperity and preparedness for the future.
Read the full Patient Experience Survey and learn more about how America Cures.
Mark Allen
Mark Allen currently serves at Deputy Vice President for Strategic Insights at PhRMA, leading the Public Affairs’ public opinion research efforts. With more than three decades of experience at the intersection of public policy and public opinion, Allen has helped to shape award-winning communication campaigns and advocacy efforts by listening to what people have to say.