title: Tests for equivalence or non-inferiority--why?
abstract: Drugs are sometimes assessed in clinical trials designed to test their equivalence or non-inferiority to a standard therapy. Non-inferiority trials, in particular, appear to be increasingly used to test new drugs, such as the oral hypoglycaemics reviewed in this issue of DTB. Here we summarise the main features of equivalence and non-inferiority trials and suggest what to look out for when reading study reports.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations