DRIVE it home: making the case for prospective economic data collection in randomized clinical trials.
Although the results of Pizzi et al. point to the potential economic attractiveness of a ferric gluconate treatment strategy, they may not be sufficient to change public policy and reimbursement practices. What is required is a large, simple trial that will replicate the results of the DRIVE trial in a broader population with longer follow-up and a prospectively defined economic and quality-of-life study conducted from the societal perspective.
Eisenstein
Eric L
EL
Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27715, USA. Eric.Eisenstein@duke.edu
D016527:Drug Costs; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; C035552:ferric gluconate