Without access to the specific statement made by Biogen CEO Christopher Viehbacher regarding accelerating the delivery of Skyclarys (I assume you meant Aducanumab, which was initially referred to as Aduhelm) to patients worldwide, I cannot comment on the statement itself. However, I can provide some general considerations related to accelerating the delivery of new medications to patients.
Accelerating the delivery of a medication to patients can have both potential benefits and potential risks:
Benefits:
- Faster access to treatment: Accelerating the delivery of a new medication may allow patients to access potentially life-changing or life-saving therapies sooner.
- Addressing unmet medical needs: In some cases, there may be a high demand for a treatment to address an unmet medical need, and faster delivery can help fulfill those needs.
- Improved patient outcomes: Early access to certain medications could potentially lead to better patient outcomes if the drug proves to be effective and safe.
Risks:
- Insufficient evidence: Accelerating delivery without robust clinical evidence may lead to the use of a medication that hasn't undergone adequate testing, potentially putting patients at risk.
- Safety concerns: Some medications may have side effects or safety issues that are not immediately apparent, and rushing delivery could lead to unintended consequences.
- Financial burden: If a new medication is expensive and rapidly delivered to patients, it could strain healthcare systems and lead to challenges in patient access due to cost.
The decision to accelerate the delivery of a medication must balance these potential benefits and risks. It is essential to ensure that any new medication is thoroughly evaluated through rigorous clinical trials and regulatory processes to demonstrate its safety and efficacy. Additionally, healthcare systems need to consider factors like affordability, equity of access, and the availability of appropriate infrastructure and expertise to administer the treatment.
Ultimately, decisions related to drug approval and delivery involve complex considerations, and they should be guided by the best available scientific evidence and prioritize patient well-being and safety.