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TOO BLOODY BAD

Dr. Hemat Klotz had received a substantial sum of money from Hemostats Inc. to investigate the effects of a novel antithrombotic drug on the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study had been in progress for a year, when a series of papers appeared testifying to the efficacy of warfarin in preventing strokes. The Ethics committee of the Hospital had recommended the study be terminated. Dr. Klotz believes that the data obtained could still have some value.

Comments:

This problem serves to introduce students to the elements of decision analysis and pharmacoeconomics. The data provided, though simplistic, led to a discussion of the relative merits and demerits of the different approaches used to gauge costs and resulting benefits. In addition they used this problem to study the coagulation cascade and anticoagulant drugs in the prevention of strokes