http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/04/count-something/ Informative articles on life, health, and medicine, by Matthew E. Nolan Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:32:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/04/count-something/#comment-47 Dr. Wes Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:14:47 +0000 http://www.naturalcondition.com/2008/03/04/count-something/#comment-47 I guess I'm OK with this concept as long as doctors also "count" costs relative to outcomes. One only needs to look at the recent Vytorin controversy and the cost of simvistatin (generic) and combination therapies (like Vytorin which combines simvastatin and ezetimibe). Is the 20-fold premium on price for Vytorin worth its cost? Pharmaceutical companies, marketers, and doctors espousing the benefits of these medications for the general public (vs those with familial hyperlipidemia) need to be clearly analyzed before releasing these meds to the general public (and Medicare reimbursement). Assuming benefit, without careful analysis of cost-effectiveness, happens often in medicine, in part (as you say) because of the profit involved. I guess I’m OK with this concept as long as doctors also “count” costs relative to outcomes. One only needs to look at the recent Vytorin controversy and the cost of simvistatin (generic) and combination therapies (like Vytorin which combines simvastatin and ezetimibe). Is the 20-fold premium on price for Vytorin worth its cost? Pharmaceutical companies, marketers, and doctors espousing the benefits of these medications for the general public (vs those with familial hyperlipidemia) need to be clearly analyzed before releasing these meds to the general public (and Medicare reimbursement). Assuming benefit, without careful analysis of cost-effectiveness, happens often in medicine, in part (as you say) because of the profit involved.

]]>