Today's furor, as reported in the New York Times, comes from Italy where consumer groups are decrying high prices, calling them "absurd and shameful."
What they're upset about are ticket prices for the Barbara Streisand concert on June 15. (Prices range from $200 to $1200.)
The horror!
And we concur. After all, comparatively speaking, pretty good seats for the Dylan concert at Jones Beach cost under $200.
And since they're both music concerts by solo artists -- aren't they really the same thing?
Sure. Just like medicines.
That being said, consider the following from Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Clinton, "A lot of these so-called blockbuster drugs are no more effective, and sometimes less effective, in treating conditions than old standbys."
In a speech at George Washington University, Senator Clinton said research is finding some drugs aren't worth the cost.
Really? Are some lives not worth saving?
Folks, the battle over the heart and soul of evidence-based medicine is crucial. The battle over what "comparative effectiveness" means is crucial. The battle over measurement tools is crucial.
Why? Because it's a battle between cost and care. Pols, pundits and payors are bashing life-saving medicines by using misleading metrics. And unless and until sound science raises its voice (and the media pays attention to the details) get ready for more of the same.
Ladies and gentlemen, political rhetoric is not the way to address the issue.
Unfortunately, it's rhetoric that is drving the debate and it's rhetoric that the MSM loves to report about.
But nobody said it was going to be easy.
What they're upset about are ticket prices for the Barbara Streisand concert on June 15. (Prices range from $200 to $1200.)
The horror!
And we concur. After all, comparatively speaking, pretty good seats for the Dylan concert at Jones Beach cost under $200.
And since they're both music concerts by solo artists -- aren't they really the same thing?
Sure. Just like medicines.
That being said, consider the following from Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Hillary Clinton, "A lot of these so-called blockbuster drugs are no more effective, and sometimes less effective, in treating conditions than old standbys."
In a speech at George Washington University, Senator Clinton said research is finding some drugs aren't worth the cost.
Really? Are some lives not worth saving?
Folks, the battle over the heart and soul of evidence-based medicine is crucial. The battle over what "comparative effectiveness" means is crucial. The battle over measurement tools is crucial.
Why? Because it's a battle between cost and care. Pols, pundits and payors are bashing life-saving medicines by using misleading metrics. And unless and until sound science raises its voice (and the media pays attention to the details) get ready for more of the same.
Ladies and gentlemen, political rhetoric is not the way to address the issue.
Unfortunately, it's rhetoric that is drving the debate and it's rhetoric that the MSM loves to report about.
But nobody said it was going to be easy.
