Release the results of your clinical trials to the media before the FDA and doctors get a chance to review them.
Allergan Inc. said that two large human tests of its Botox drug, best known for smoothing wrinkles, showed that periodic injections prevent headaches in adults who suffer from chronic migraines.
Even though details of the study weren’t released, the announcement, which surprised many physicians and investors, sent Allergan’s shares soaring 11%, or $5.95, to $60.53 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. (WSJ Online)
The press release reports some impressive P values but no numbers, which makes me suspicious as to the real impact of the treatment on migraine. Statistical significance does not always translate to clinical significance. I recall clinical trials of vitamin E for hot flashes, in which the treatment showed a statically significant reduction in hot flashes – one less hot flash a day. For a woman suffering upwards of 10 flushing episodes a day, one less hot flash is a meaningless result.
This practice of announcing favorable results before the medical community has a chance to vet the news is becoming standard practice among Big Pharma. It’s showing total disregard for the peer review process. And the absence of a written and reviewed paper means that medical experts have no basis for comment on the story.
As a migraine sufferer, I tried Botox a few years ago. It did not work. I ended up with Mr Spock eyes for a few weeks and had no fewer headaches. I won’t be trying it again.
It’s only a study of one, and I haven’t published the data.
Just my little “press release”.
I’m not overly impressed with the information regarding BOTOX and migraines. It is good for expression lines, but I happen to like facial animation. A little is BOTOX is good. Too much is not.
Love your discription–Mr Spock eyes!
I wonder if shoring the stock on this type of announcement would make sense. There is hype, everyone is buying, then the details come out and the price would drop again. Too bad I am too much of a chicken to try it.
As a middle aged woman, I’ve been toying with the idea of trying Botox for a while. But I just don’t think the smile looks natural when it’s not reflected in the eyes. A friend of mine does it all the time, and to me, her smile looks a bit fake .
Oops, a typo, I meant “Shorting” the stock.