Intelligent risk communication: can it be improved?

Every year, regulators and scientists from academia and industry invest considerable time and effort into drug development, the assessment of safety, and subsequent risk-benefit communication. The observation of everyday medical practice, lay press releases and drug information indicates that all these efforts do not do justice to the work and effort invested. Risk communication is a complex scientific activity, which, when done properly, benefits patients, and when done poorly, may lead to harm. There is much misunderstanding and confusion even between professionals in communicating risk-benefit information, as the association of risk with drug treatment is a difficult concept to accept. It is apparent that the concept of intelligent risk-benefit communication has to be developed extensively on many levels and with the co-operation of everyone involved (patients, physicians, regulators, scientists, journalists, lawyers and the government). This article addresses some key aspects of dealing with the risks associated with drug treatment in everyday practice, as consideration of these risks may be of benefit to all concerned in the future.