At what price?

A picture taken on September 13, 2012 in Paris shows pills. According to a book written by Necker institute director Philippe Even and Paris MP Bernard Debre, one prescription in two is useless, and costs the French social security 15 billion euros. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA

What is the point of discovering a new drug when only a fraction of the population can benefit from it?

A FEW months back, I saw a young lady who was referred to me as a case of refractory autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). I picked up some odd features and managed to clinch the correct diagnosis, i.e. paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH).