Me too drugs.

• Author: Grant, David
• Position: Letters - Letter to the Editor

In "Trial and Error" (October), Merrill Goozner criticizes the idea that FDA approval be denied to any drug that offers trivial advantages over drugs already available, but he fails to suggest two strong criticisms: One, a "me too" drug can offer competition to a similar drug even though it isn't a generic equivalent. For example, most patients with high cholesterol can be treated with any of the commonly prescribed "statin" drugs, though some are stronger than others. And it several drugs are available, there are alternatives it one turns out to cause problems that show up...