News release — February 12, 2002

How to read a dated sector announcement

A pharmaceutical-sector news release should be read in its policy and scientific context. The date, intended audience, supporting evidence and distinction between commitments and measured outcomes all matter.

• Identify the claim and intended audience
• Check the evidence available at the time
• Separate commitments from completed outcomes
• Compare later evidence where appropriate

Reading public communications

Separate announcements from measured outcomes, check the date and audience, identify the evidence behind each claim and look for balanced discussion of uncertainty and trade-offs.