New Jersey is the world’s medicine chest. In 1998, 14 out of 38 FDA-approved drugs were manufactured by New Jersey based pharmaceutical companies were located in New Jersey. In 1999, that number jumped to 17 out of 40. Of all the medications sold world-wide, 40% come from New Jersey. In fact, New Jersey is home to more global pharmaceutical companies than any country in the world. Yet, few people know this.

Prescription New Jersey is a one-hour documentary produced by NJN Public Television. NJN News and Healthwatch correspondent Sara Lee Kessler hosts the show. The program will look at what makes New Jersey such a magnet for drug research, why companies are moving to the state and what goes into drug research. It will also examine the impact of medical technology companies and biotech companies.

Prescription New Jersey includes interviews with Robert Wilson, Vice Chairman of the Board, Johnson & Johnson; Fred Hassan, CEO, Pharmacia Corporation; Robert Essner, President and COO, American Home Products; Patrick Zenner, CEO, Hoffmann-La Roche; Gerald Belle, President, Aventis Pharmaceutical; and Richard Lane, President, Bristol Myers-Squibb, among others. The documentary also features interviews with research scientists, physicians and patients.

Funding for this program was provided by the Health Care Institute of New Jersey and by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.