It cost $38,398 for a single shot of a very old cancer drug
NPR Online NewsAPR 1 2023
AstraZeneca Lung Cancer Pill Halves Risk of Death After Surgery
Image copyright: Bjoertvedt [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Spin
Narrative A
These promising results could be the first step toward AstraZeneca's revolutionizing treatment for adults with this specific type of lung cancer. If the drug could help prevent lung cancer's progression to the brain, liver, and bones, it would undoubtedly be a game changer for millions of patients worldwide.
Narrative B
The medical community must wait for more data before getting too excited about this development. There are still significant side effects associated with Osimertinib, and even if it receives FDA approval, doctors will find it difficult to prescribe it if lung cancer patients are not screened for the specific genetic mutation. There's still a long way to go until it's time to celebrate victory against this deadly disease.