“Ground gain minimal. Casualties huge. Conclusion — press on.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/health/06avastin.html?pagewanted=1

This morning I stumbled on an article that is a few months old but really lays out the enormous complexity of new drug development and its effects on patients. In this case, the article focuses on a relatively new cancer drug that has been shown to prolong patient life for several months. Although the clinical results have not been conclusive on this drug's benefit and the price tag is huge, most oncologists and patients, faced with desperate situations, rely on biologics like this one in the terribly difficult struggle against advanced cancer diseases.

This article really illuminates the complex interactions between drug company development and research, insurance prices, medical management, and patient hopes and needs.