It is time the pharmacy faculties, the pharmaceutical licensing boards and the continuing education programs begin a widespread teaching program on the classifications of oral antineoplastic agents, their uses in specific diseases, side effects and toxicities. I hope it doesn't take an accidental tragedy to wake up community pharmacists. Edgar Goldstein, B.Ph. Jewish General Hospital Montreal, Que. This interpretation is misleading and does not fairly represent the importance of new discoveries, nor the realities of advancements in medical science.
Medical science is advanced through incremental innovation.
As medical research advances, the ability to more finely focus treatments toward specific aspects of a disease state, while reducing side effects associated with the therapy, is of benefit to all. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is particularly ironic given current concerns over anti-microbial resistance. It should also be noted that drugs classified as incremental improvements play an important clinical and economic role that benefit payers, patients and providers. Economically, such drugs create a competitive, price-sensitive environment that helps keep the overall price of drugs down.