2 ms·

I've heard but I don't recall the source, that some new drugs they are working on have an effectiveness rate lower than the placebo effectiveness rate. There's

I've heard but I don't recall the source, that some new drugs they are working on have an effectiveness rate lower than the placebo effectiveness rate. There's also the Placebo Paradox: it's unethical for a doctor to prescribe placebos, but it's also unethical for a doctor not to use a treatment that works. Blew my mind!

richardw 10y ago
Interesting. How does a drug do worse than a placebo? Surely those who a placebo works on will also benefit from the drug, since the placebo doesn't disappear when the drug is real? So an ethical doctor can just prescribe medicine. It should work through its intended action + placebo :)