This is a good summary of how the “reduced risk” effect of pharmaceuticals is calculated and reported. The full article is here.

Two countries, New Zeland and the U.S., allow consumer marketing of prescription drugs. Prior to 1997 it was not allowed in the U.S. Direct-consumer marketing of prescription drugs. In principle, I am not opposed to this because doctors make the final judgment on what to prescribe a patient/consumer. A study in JAMA last year (Kravitz, et. al, 2005 ( Read more... )