title: [Evaluating the efficacy of a new drug].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To give a practical guide for phase III clinical trial reading in order to evaluate independently the efficacy of a (new) drug therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Synthesis established by public health teachers and illustrated with examples in the field of urology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A structured and simplified critical review of clinical trial remains the main way to "have an idea" of a new drug efficacy. Efficacy in clinical trial may be far from patient satisfaction, willingness to pursue with this treatment or cost-effectiveness relevance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of patient expectation, disease evolution and epidemiology have to be put side by side to raw efficacy data coming from phase III study in order to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of new drugs therapy.
authors.affiliation: EA 3279 santé publique et maladies chroniques, faculté de médecine, Aix-Marseille université, 27, boulevard Jean-Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berbis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alessandrini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karsenty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auquier
mesh_terms: D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Clinical trial; Critère de jugement; Efficacité; Efficacy; Efficience; Efficiency; Essai clinique; Primary outcome; Randomisation