The review thesis summarizes the drugs approved in 2021 by the US and European Medicines Regulatory Agency (FDA and EMA). It highlights the importance of further investment in the development of new drugs. Medicines for the treatment of malignant diseases, as well as vaccines were not included in this thesis. Development of new drugs for the purpose of improving health care of patients involves a multidisciplinary approach and cooperation of scientists of various profiles, from molecular biologists, geneticists, chemists, biostatisticians, to pharmacologists, doctors and pharmacists. Of the 50 approved drugs in the USA, the most represented are small molecules, followed by biological drugs of which monoclonal antibodies are the most represented, of therapeutic areas oncology drugs are the most represented. In 2021 a small interfering RNA drug was approved, which opens the way for post transcriptional gene silencing as therapeutic approach in the treatment of certain diseases and conditions. Four biosimilar drugs have also been approved, making these drugs more accesssible to a larger number of patients. This number of 50 new medicines speaks in favor of investment in prevention, treatment and improvement of patient care. Medicine that is available to everyone effective and safe is the aspiration of everyone involved in the care of patients.