The Pharmaceutical Industry: Innovation,

This course provides a structured overview of the pharmaceutical industry, with a consistent lens on public health. While grounded in the U.S. system, the course will integrate global comparisons to highlight differences in regulation, pricing, and equity. Students will examine how medicines are developed, regulated, priced, marketed, and accessed, and will analyze the role of key stakeholders—including government, payers, advocacy groups, and industry. Through case studies, debates, and simulations, students will explore the ethical tensions that arise between innovation, affordability, and equity, and assess the impact of pharmaceutical decision-making on population health. In addition to building conceptual understanding, students will develop skills in policy analysis, stakeholder synthesis, and evidence-based communication through written memos, reflective essays, and structured in-class activities.