Drugs in Our Society

In November, 1963, a small private symposium met at Johns Hopkins Univers^ to explore what were the major problems in making safe and effective drugs avails. from both the academic and industrial fields were present. In addition, the gt?f. included economists, the president of a drug company, lawyers and an Eng'1^ social scientist (Professor Richard Titmuss). In the course of their deliberations tftf-surveyed the scientific, clinical, social, economic and legal problems involved in ^ use of drugs. At times, and particularly when the cost of research and the price c drugs were considered, some strikingly different views were expressed. The value of bringing together members of different disciplines is open to questi0'' Each may speak to his brief and a real "dialogue" never arise. At worst, the symposia is then a collection of authoritative opinions on different subjects. At best, howeV?. it can provide a stimulating contrast in points of view, and a valuable exchange, opinions. The present book achieves the best ends of symposia, and offers a splen^1 series of articles and summaries of discussions. Amongst the articles, special menti^ might be made of Gaddum's survey, in which he points out how he advocated f consistent use of controlled trials in 1940, and in which he also shows how mislead'1^ animal experiments may be. Throughout the book, ethical and social problems repeatedly considered, and particular attention is given to them by Edward Cahn? lawyer. A good deal of attention is also paid to legislation in the U.S., and the chapters are not without interest here. The final summary of views could have be extended with advantage, but nevertheless this is a very valuable volume.