Key dilemmas in prescribing and the provision of health

Decision-making in health provision is rarely straightforward. Choices are probably easiest when trial data are clear and the consequences essentially trivial. As information becomes more speculative, outcomes more critical and the environment more hostile, dilemmas arise. These and related issues were addressed in the fifth annual Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin symposium 'Key Dilemmas in Prescribing and the Provision of Health,' which was held in March. Here we summarise the key views raised in the talks and subsequent discussion.