Celebrating milestones and embracing innovation: the next chapter for Drugs in Context
Abstract
The Senior Editors of Drugs in Context are excited to announce that the journal received its first Impact Factor of 2.8 in the 2025 Edition of Journal Citation Reports1 by Clarivate. This represents a significant metric milestone, and the result of years of continuing efforts to ensure the highest academic publishing standards by the Editorial Office, Editorial Board, Reviewers and Publisher. The impact factor remains open to criticisms by the broad scientific community and should not be the main factor determining a journal’s quality and reputation, let alone an individual’s scientific profile and career prospects. Nevertheless, it is also evidence of a robust assessment of publication integrity and citation standards by Clarivate, the organization governing the metrics of more than 30,000 peer-reviewed journals worldwide.
The Editors and Publisher see this important milestone as a starting point for further consolidating the visibility and reputation of Drugs in Context within the discipline of pharmacology and therapeutics through several initiatives. Such initiatives include widening the expertise of the Editorial Board to increase the number of submissions in specific areas (especially women’s health, rare diseases, and health economics and outcomes research) and increasing the focus on real-world evidence, original research articles (which should also attract contributions investigating Big Data using artificial intelligence and specific machine learning algorithms), and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. As part of these initiatives, we plan to regularly advertise for special issue topics and guest editors to further increase the visibility and prestige of the journal and, consequently, the quality of submissions from different geographic areas.
Looking ahead, Drugs in Context is uniquely positioned to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of pharmaceutical research and clinical practice. By fostering the dissemination of high-quality, peer-reviewed content that bridges the gap between laboratory science and real-world clinical application, the journal supports the translation of evidence into practice. This practical relevance, combined with a rigorous editorial process and an inclusive publishing ethos, has already enhanced its credibility within the global scientific and medical communities. As researchers continue to seek reputable platforms for publishing impactful work, Drugs in Context stands out as a journal committed to both excellence and accessibility.
In the coming years, the journal aims to further expand its footprint by embracing emerging trends in digital health, precision medicine and patient-centred outcomes. A key area of growth will be the integration of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical research and healthcare delivery. By cultivating partnerships with academic institutions, professional societies, and international research networks, Drugs in Context intends to become a hub for scholarship that drives innovation across the pharmaceutical landscape. With its commitment to timely publication, methodological transparency and clinical relevance, the journal is well-equipped to support the evolution of data-driven, patient-focused pharmaceutical research, ultimately improving health outcomes worldwide.
These are exciting times for Drugs in Context, and are likely to be the catalyst for the Journal’s increasing success as a key reference for current and future research in pharmacology and therapeutics in a wide range of populations, healthcare settings and disease states.
