Episode 16- Exploring the Benefits and Limitations of Available Agents

During this segment, the panelists discuss how new agents have affected the expectations of physicians and patients in terms of overall outcomes. Unfortunately, they conclude that there is some disparity between the expectations and the reality.

Yehuda Handelsman, MD, FACP, FACE, FNLA, explains that our country has not achieved developing a multi-target agent. While certain drugs control certain events, they often lead to other events. Additionally, while treatment with agents such as glucagon-like peptide-1 is presented as a terrific treatment option, there is still a lack in data that demonstrates that it does in fact reduce cardiovascular disease.

Kenneth L. Schaecher, MD, FACP, CPC, agrees with Dr Handelsman but does feel that a benefit of the wide range of available agents has allowed professionals to treat patients with flexibility. Rather than treating a patient off of a specific protocol, this allows patients to be treated with a more personalized therapy concept.