Assessing drug lag in new drug approvals by the Iran Food and Drug Administration compared to the U.S. FDA, EMA, and PMDA: A 20-year analysis (2001-2021).

The pharmaceutical industry is vital for healthcare advancement through innovative medications, improving lives. A substantial challenge is "Drug lag," hindering patient access and increasing disease adjusted life years burdens. We aim to examine drug lag for Iran Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) approved drugs versus US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) over 2001 to 2021.