In the age of advanced medical technology and global health awareness, human longevity is undeniable. Past life-threatening diseases and infections, such as hepatitis A and B, can now be prevented with a vaccine administered through a single shot. Through medical research and development (R&D) programs and projects, human life expectancy is expected to increase exponentially by 2030.

Many organizations exist toward the goal of extending human life expectancy. One such organization, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) represents research-based biopharmaceutical companies and associations worldwide. IFPMA advocates for practices and policies that promote the access and discovery of life-saving medicines and vaccines. Through its two million employees at member companies and associations, IFPMA can successfully research, develop, and provide reliable statistical figures that help improve the lives of patients across the globe.

Here are 10 key facts from IFPMA’s 2017 Facts and Figures report:

1. It takes between 10 and 15 years to successfully develop a medicine or vaccine.
2. The research-based pharmaceutical industry presently spends over $149.8 billion on R&D annually.
3. For every $1 spent on new medication for hypertension in the U.S., $10.11 is saved in medical spending.
4. In 2015, 56 new pharmaceuticals became publicly available and more that 7,000 compounds are currently in development stages.
5. The global pharmaceutical market will reach approximately USD $1.4 billion by 2020.
6. The pharmaceutical industry’s private sector accounts for nearly all medicine and vaccines produced on the market.
7. In 2014, over 401 pharmaceuticals were in various stages of development for diabetes and 208 drugs were in development for HIV/AIDS.
8. IFPMA members currently have 119 R&D projects in the works for neglected tropical diseases.
9. In 2014, the pharmaceutical industry was the third-largest contributor of neglected diseases research, investing over $534 million.
10. The cost of developing a successful medication can exceed over $2.6 billion in R&D.

Research done by organizations like the IFPMA is consistently increasing human life expectancy. According to a study led by scientists from Imperial College London, the average life expectancy is expected to increase by 2030. The study was published in The Lancet and focuses on future life expectancy in 35 industrialized countries. It estimates life expectancy to increase by 65% for women and 85% for men in all 35 countries. The highest life expectancy was projected for South Korean women, with a 90% probability that nearly all women will survive to at least 86.7 years. Following South Korea, the highest projected female life expectancies are those in France, Spain and Japan. Of the 35 countries studied, the United States, Sweden, Greece and Serbia have some of the lowest predicted life expectancy projections for both men and women.

– Madison O’Connell

Photo: Flickr