Nice, Drug-eluting Stents And The Limits Of Trial Data

摘要

Dr de Belder asks the question how to determine the worth of drug-eluting stents? The answer to this question does not lie in the trial data. The function of trial data is to establish the extent of clinical-effectiveness to a given degree of certainty. In this context, while a trend may generate a hypothesis it does not establish clinical-effectiveness.rnThere is no balance between clinical- and cost-effectiveness. Clinical-effectiveness necessarily precedes cost-effectiveness. If there is a balance to be struck it lies between value and cost. The cost is set by the market and by negotiation between the respective parties. Once this is settled the remaining key variable left to be determined is the value placed upon the degree of benefit demonstrated by the clinical trial evidence.