title: Replacing an old drug with a new one.
abstract: One of the constants facing the individual who practices clinical medicine is the evaluation of the continuing flow of new pharmaceutical products. It is a formidable challenge to use the most up-to-date therapeutic agents judiciously and with proper monitoring. This commentary will discuss issues for the practitioner to consider when faced with the prospect of replacing an old drug with a new one. It will attempt to develop a framework to facilitate rational decision-making in this context.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut, School of Medicine, Hartford.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations