Fig. 1

Distribution of drug launch delay, in terms of the PR status. Notes: Red circles denoted the approvals receiving the PR designation after the PR was implemented (real PR). Blue triangles denoted the approvals without the PR designation after the PR was implemented (real non-PR). Yellow x denoted the approvals licensed before the PR was implemented (pre-PR). The fitted dash lines were constructed by the LOWESS (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing) method, which indicated the tendencies of the launch delay. The pre-RP approvals and the real non-PR approvals had similar trends, but the PR approvals presented shorter launch delay. PR, priority review