Drug policy: the challenge is to overcome fragmentation

Laupacis, Anderson and O'Brien present a number of well-informed suggestions for improving the cost-effectiveness of prescription drugs by improving available information. Their suggestions cover the various stages of drug development and utilization from the way clinical trials are designed to the information collected on drug effectiveness after the drug is licensed for use. While improved information alone will not control drug costs, these suggestions, if implemented, should improve our ability to use drugs in more cost-effective ways. A significant challenge, however, will be creating a comprehensive approach to information that overcomes the fragmentation characteristic of current arrangements.