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When you prescribe a new drug, often you are prescribing…

“When you prescribe a new drug, often you are prescribing something that has only been tested in a few thousand people for a very short period of time, perhaps only six months, and that's not long enough to know whether there are any medium- or long-term side effects.” quote by Ben Goldacre
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“When you prescribe a new drug, often you are prescribing something that has only been tested in a few thousand people for a very short period of time, perhaps only six months, and that's not long enough to know whether there are any medium- or long-term side effects.”

Ben Goldacre

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Prescribing new drugs often relies on limited short‑term data, leaving unknown medium‑ or long‑term risks.

In simple terms: New drugs lack long‑term safety data.

Key Takeaway

Demand thorough post‑marketing monitoring.

Themes

pharmacology risk ethics

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

educational warning

When to use this quote

  • hospital prescribing
  • clinical research
  • regulatory review

Key Concepts

clinical trials surveillance patient safety

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can clinicians balance innovation with safety?
  • What systems improve long‑term monitoring?
A Different Perspective

Limited data may miss rare adverse events.

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