Medicines and Choice

I read a story online that really struck me—particularly because I'm diabetic. Two paragraphs particularly stuck out at me:

Looked at one way, Avastin, made by Genentech, is a wonder drug…Approved for patients with advanced lung, colon or breast cancer, it cuts off tumors’ blood supply, an idea that has tantalized science for decades. And despite its price, which can reach $100,000 a year, Avastin has become one of the most popular cancer drugs in the world, with sales last year of about $3.5 billion, $2.3 billion of that in the United States.

But there is another side to Avastin. Studies show the drug prolongs life by only a few months, if that. And some newer studies suggest the drug might be less effective against cancer than the Food and Drug Administration had understood when the agency approved its uses.

Costly Cancer Drug Offers Hope, but Also a Dilemma, Gina Kolata and Andrew Pollack, New York Times, July 6, 2008

Why Did This Hit Me?

Somewhere, I reckon, there’s an ad touting Avastin and suggesting—urging—patients to ask for it from their doctors. Maybe not, in the case of this drug. But, we’ve seen direct marketing like that in so many different cases. And, I’m afraid to say, a lot of us buy into it. Many of us don’t hesitate to ask, or demand, specific drugs and treatments about which we know little other than what we’ve heard or read somewhere.

Are Doctors Infallible?

Oh, no. Not anymore than any of the rest of us. Doctors make mistakes; hopefully, not catastrophic mistakes. I know that physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and such go through long, increasingly expensive formal training. I know that they have to undertake continuing education to retain their certifications. I know that many work long hours and are subject to fatigue and stress, just like me.

I also know that many are, or appear to be, fairly arrogant and all-knowing. Those of us who know anything about humans and human nature know that some of our compatriots can act like real jerks sometimes. Maybe all the time. If we have any doubts of this, we can look into the mirror in our bathrooms. Sometime. Just to remind us.

Advertising Drugs?

On the one hand, I’d very much like to see all, or most, ads for drugs go away. Forever. Especially those for prescription drugs. I’m a diabetic (non-dependent on insulin as yet). Do I believe that any ad by a drug company for medicines related to my “condition” are bound to be good for me? Like, do these marketeers know my blood sugar, or liver function, or anything else about me?

I’ll keep asking my doctor about the results of my periodic HGA1C and other tests. I’ll research reputable, non-commercial sites (such as the FDA) about drugs my doctor prescribes, and I’ll continue to make decisions for myself.

One of those is to trust that my doctor doesn’t want me to drop dead because I acted on his recommendations and prescriptions. Maybe he doesn’t want that to happen out of concern for me, or perhaps because he doesn’t want to see a lawyer invade his immediate future (who does?).