Thursday, September 14, 2006

Thursday word of the day: Efficacy

I see this word thrown around a lot in biotech company press releases, usually incorrectly. Usually it gets mixed up with synergistic. So let's settle it.

EFFICACY: (Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the procedure mandated by the FDA, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it

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