DRIVE it home: making the case for prospective economic data collection in randomized clinical trials.

Abstract

Although the results of Pizzi et al. point to the potential economic attractiveness of a ferric gluconate treatment strategy, they may not be sufficient to change public policy and reimbursement practices. What is required is a large, simple trial that will replicate the results of the DRIVE trial in a broader population with longer follow-up and a prospectively defined economic and quality-of-life study conducted from the societal perspective.