Placebo Effect

I am including here an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal, 03/01/2007, Page BI article titled "Emerging Drugs Show Promise Against HIV":


"Robin Isaacs, Merck's executive director of infectious-disease clinical development, said the two latest studies show the drug, taken twice a day, helped drive virus levels down to undetectable in slightly more than 60% of volunteers when added to an antiviral cocktail. Only 33% to 36% of patients receiving a placebo had similar reductions. Volunteers taking the new drug also saw higher levels of CD-4 cells than patients receiving placebo. A Merck spokesman said the company expects to file for FDA approval in the second quarter of this year."

I have highlighted the part that I find astonishing - that 33 to 36 percent of the patients on placebo had the same response as those on the actual drugs.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Placebo Effect.

Only if we knew how to harness it.