Every five years since 1965, roughly one additional year has been added to average life expectancy at birth. The influenza epidemic of 1918 killed more people than all the battles fought during the First World War. Since that time, medicines have helped reduce the combined U.S. death rate from influenza and pneumonia by 85 percent. Over the past 30 years, innovative medicines have helped reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke by half, enabling 4 million Americans to live longer, better lives. Since 1965, drugs have helped cut emphysema deaths by 57 percent and ulcer deaths by 72 percent.
Modern medicines do even more than save lives and improve the well-being of patients.