Roflumilast in COPD.

We read with interest the Point and Counterpoint editorials in CHEST (May 2014) by Suissa and Rabe 1 and Rho et al 2 about the appropriateness of industry-sponsored rofl umilast trials. In the editorials, reference was made to the level of patient withdrawal as well as to the level of side eff ects experienced by patients receiving this drug during clinical trials. 2 In our real-world clinical experience, we have found both the reported side eff ect and drug discontinuation rates to be at far higher than reported levels.