Can We Still Afford Innovative Surgical Procedures?

Providing outpatient prescription drugs through Medicare: can we afford to? Can we afford not to?

HPV vaccine: Can we afford to hesitate?

To the Editor: Cervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The estimated annual incidence of cervical cancer is 35/100 000 women, with 22.5/100 000 associated deaths. This is in stark contrast to the 6.6/100 000 cases and 2.7/100 000 deaths reported in developed countries such as the USA, where HPV vaccination has been available si...

Can we afford to eliminate restenosis?

Over the past decade, coronary stenting has emerged as the dominant form of percutaneous coronary revascularization. However, bare metal stents remain limited by a high incidence of restenosis, leading to frequent repeat revascularization procedures and substantial economic burden. Antiproliferative drug-eluting stents (DES) have recently demonstrated dramatic reductions in rates of restenosis,...

Can we afford the war on cancer?

Immunotherapy vaccines could extend survival in a handful of cancers. But personalizing treatment, payers argue, is not sustainable. Where should the line be drawn?

Cholesterol reduction: what can we afford?

In this issue van Hout and Simoons describe a cost-effectiveness analysis of cardiovascular disease risk reduction by HMG coenzyme reductase inhibitors (statins). This exercise stems from the recommendations of the Netherlands Consensus Committee on Lipid Lowering. Costs of prescriptions and of major medical events (death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, PTCA and CABG surgery) are consider...