Between confidentiality and scientific exchange: the place of publication in drug discovery and pharmaceutical research.

To continue to improve life expectancy and quality of life, the discovery of innovative therapies should be among the prime goals of the life sciences. The large majority of the drugs that are discovered and successfully developed to the point of being used by patients come from the drug industry, but publications from this sector are rare among life sciences research publications. Publications in the field of pharmaceutical drug discovery should take into account the confidentiality inherent to the protection of the intellectual property rights of a discovery, but they are fundamentally important because they can enhance scientific knowledge, improve the care and safety of patients, provide information for prescribers, and educate the public about the pharmaceutical industry.