Innovation: Rise and Fall of the Device

News came out today that the coated stent launched in 2000...may create a significant increase risk for thrombosis, or blood clots.

While more than 6 million drug eluting stents have been implanted around the world, this recent report is unlikely to change physician or patient behaviour. Much like pharmaceuticals later to have caused serious side effects after FDA approval, Boston Scientific and others will launch a significant marketing campaign that acknowledges the risks while selling its continuing benefits to the market. The FDA may, or may not, launch an investigation - the likely outcome to be a requirement to note the increase chance for side effects.

In the end, a basic philosophical question remains: which desire is greater amongst patients - the ability to have the latest and greatest (and a higher chance of success) or the assurance that our care is 100% safe? How one answers the question creates cascading affects on cost, quality, innovation, and other significant policy attributes.

But stepping too far into innovation threatens the very trust we have in the health care system while increasing costs in an effort to bring more technology to the market.

In the end, a balance must be achieved between adequacy, equality, and efficiency...metrics for which we have not yet decided upon.