Do pharmaceutical companies typically spend more on promotional activities than on research and development?

Pharmaceutical companies generally invest heavily in research and development (R&D) to innovate and bring new drugs to market, often allocating a substantial portion of their budgets to this area. While promotional activities, including marketing and advertising, are also significant expenditures, they do not typically surpass the investments made in R&D.

The ratio of spending can vary based on the company size, the specific drugs in development, market conditions, and other factors, but historically, R&D expenditures tend to be prioritized to maintain a competitive edge through new product development. Thus, stating that pharmaceutical companies do not typically spend more on promotional activities than R&D accurately reflects the industry's practices and financial priorities.