THE CHALLENGE OF EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING RISK-BENEFIT INFORMATION

Although the techniques involved in drug safety monitoring (pharmacovi gilance) have dramatically improved in recent years, communication of these issues to health professionals and the public lags far behind. S everal measures need to be taken in order to address this discrepancy. A climate of greater openness concerning the basis of merit assessmen ts-must be created. We need to develop merit-assessment formulations t hat are more accurate and helpful when treating individual patients in clinical situations. All of the involved groups must be educated abou t the nature of drugs and drug therapy, and the possibilities and limi tations of such therapy. More effective techniques and systems have to be developed in order to stimulate higher rates of high quality spont aneous reporting of adverse effects. More conscientious and purposeful attention to the theory and practice of communications, in order to e nsure the effective delivery of optimal benefits to patients, clinicia ns and society at large, would also be advantageous. We must ensure th at where issues of public health and confidence in the medical profess ion are at stake, we employ the very best communications practices.