Consumer Focused Health

Interesting news flash from the pharmaceutical industry, and another reminder why the choice of metrics is so important: Zetia (the other half of Vytorin) while lowering cholesterol, simultaneously increases the growth of plaque in the coronary arteries. How’s that looking for a price: benefit ratio?

While it didn’t appear clear what the overall outcome was vis a vis heart attacks and clinical outcomes, it appears to be a disturbing finding that brings into question the benefit of the drug.

A refresher from my article on metrics:

There are two types of metrics, process and outcome metrics. Process metrics are seen as means of getting to desired results, with outcome metrics being the desired results. Outcome metrics are the things that really matter– in medicine this would be rates of morbidity and mortality, with good patient experience also potentially a desired outcome.

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