RIYADH, 18 May — Speakers at a symposium here highlighted the role of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in helping the doctor in decision-making and rationalizing the cost of treatment. The seminar was organized by the New Jersey-based Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), a global research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company that invents, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovation products.
The symposium was the second in a series on evidence-based medicine for creating an awareness in the Saudi medical community. The first was conducted in May last year. EBM is about making better decision-making tools for physicians and pharmacists, so that they could treat patients better, let the patients understand the treatment options available to them and help policy-makers make better judgments about the operation of health services.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr. Youssif Asiri, associate professor of hospital and clinical pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy in King Saud University, said physicians and pharmacists need to use discretion in their medical prescription. “Sometimes four to five types of medicines will be available, but the physician, with the support of pharmacists, must scientifically choose the best one based on the evidence available.”
Pharmacist Wail Al-Qasim, scientific office manager of MSD in Saudi Arabia, said the availability of latest drugs and treatments help rationalize the cost of treatment.
He said American pharmaceutical companies spend $27 billion on research every year. This tremendous investment leads to discovery of new treatment options that benefit the patient both financially and healthwise.
Dr. Tony Snell, an expert in clinical governance in the United Kingdom, explained the concept and importance of EBM to the participants.
