I don't think this comparison holds up. In software, the reason to release something early is because it is hard to tell if there is demand for what you have built and getting feedback from the market is vital.
In pharma, I think the success criteria are much better understood, but it's just really hard to do what people want.
Not so say our regulatory system isn't a shitshow that needs reform, but I don't think there is the same benefit of releasing buggy versions.
Having said that, there are a lot of arguments for reforming how we do later stage clinical trials to provide access to potentially life saving drugs as well as reducing the costs of drug development https://reason.com/2018/02/02/right-to-try-fda-drug-trials/
In pharma, I think the success criteria are much better understood, but it's just really hard to do what people want.
Not so say our regulatory system isn't a shitshow that needs reform, but I don't think there is the same benefit of releasing buggy versions.
Having said that, there are a lot of arguments for reforming how we do later stage clinical trials to provide access to potentially life saving drugs as well as reducing the costs of drug development https://reason.com/2018/02/02/right-to-try-fda-drug-trials/