“ New and improved. ” These words are put in so many marketing campaigns that we tend to accept them as linked. But many new drugs aren't an improvement over the best existing drug for a given condition, and the fast drug-approval processes in recent years have added to the uncertainty about their advantages.
A recent report in the British Medical Journal, "New Drugs: Where Did We Go Wrong and What Can We Do Better?, analysed the issue, The authors looked at 216 drugs approved between 2011 and 2017 ； 152 were newly developed, and 64 were existing medicine approved for new uses. Only 25% offered a major advantage over the established treatment, and fully 58% had no confirmed added benefit to reduce symptoms or improve health-related quality of life.
"This doesn’t mean there's no added benefit," lead author Wieseler said. “It just means we have no positive proof. Either we have no studies or have studies not good enough. ” Wieseler and her co-authors work for a German institute which evaluates new treatments and advises on whether the country's health care system should pay a premium ( 占)for them. Such organizations , known as health technology assessment ( HTA) agencies, work a little differently in the US, says Sean Tunis，a researcher in Baltimore: “ If payers think a new drug isn't better than an existing drug，these agencies will require .that hospitals try the cheaper drug first. ”
Germany's HTA demands trials to prove that a new treatment beats the existing standard. This isn't always practical For one thing, such studies can be expensive and time-consuming, with no guarantee of success. Secondly, it can discourage companies from attempting to develop new alternatives. This is already happening. Drug developers are increasingly focused on areas where there are no good treatments to compete with, such as rare diseases.
This lack of meaningful data to guide patients is a major point of Wieseler's paper- With accelerated approval, there are more products approved, with a greater amount of uncertainty about risks and benefits. But there are other solutions besides drug trials. One idea is to require postmarket studies to track the effectiveness of newly approved drugs—a step too often neglected.
1.What message does the recent report convey?
A.Many new drugs have no improved advantages.
B.The approval processes for new drugs are too fast.
C.Improved drugs have advantages over old ones.
D.Before 2017 no improvement was made to drugs.
2.What will US HTA agencies do when no advantage is found in new drugs?
A.Remove government premium on them.
B.Get hospitals to use the cheaper drugs.
C.Arrange financial support for the patients.
D.Put new drugs on further trials and studies.
3.What's the disadvantage of Germany's HTA trial demands?
A.Making drug companies think of illegal ways to cut cost.
B.Pushing companies to try alternatives for existing drugs.
C.Getting patients to depend on the government for support.
D.Holding companies back from improving existing drugs.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.The Advantage of Existing Drugs
B.Misunderstanding of New and Old Drugs
C.A Dilemma with New Drug Alternatives
D.Peopled Preference for New or Old Drugs
The kakapo, a bird that lives in New Zealand, is not designed for survival. Weighing up to 4 kilograms, it is the world's fattest parrot. It mates (交配) only when the rimu tree is in fruit, which happens every few years. It developed gradually in the absence of land-based natural enemies, so instead of flying above the trees it walks like a duck across the dry forest floor. When it moves unsteadily across something that might kill it, it will stand still.
Such unusual characteristics turned it into fast food for human settlers, and for the cats and rats they brought with them. It seemed to have disappeared by the 1970s, until scientists came across two undiscovered populations in the country's south. These survivors were eventually moved to small enemy-free islands, where researchers have spent decades trying to get them to breed (繁殖).
The scientists' patience is finally rewarded. The rimu was in fruit this year, and more than 80 chicks hatched, making this the best breeding season on record. Many have survived into adolescence, increasing the number of adult kakapos by a third, to 200 birds.
Another danger to the kakapo is a lack of genetic diversity. This is one reason why fewer than half of kakapo eggs hatch. By arranging the genome (基因组) of every living bird, scientists can identify closely-related individuals and put them on different islands. Every bird is fitted with something to track its slightest movement. If a female mates with an "unsuitable” male, the process can be stopped.
All these efforts cost almost New Zealand $1.3 million this breeding season. Yet the kakapo's future still looks unsafe. Earlier this year a severe disease tore through the population. And tiny as the number of kakapos is, space is running out on the two islands where most of them live. New enemy-free settlement must soon be found.
1.Which of the following is a danger for the survival of the kakapo?
A.It is the smallest bird in the world. B.It lacks exercise and usually stands still.
C.It adapts slowly in genetic development. D.It can't respond actively when facing danger.
2.In what way may the scientists' patience be rewarded?
A.They hatched 80 kakapos' eggs this year.
B.They tried to make the rimu tree in fruit this year.
C.Two survivors were moved to enemy-free islands.
D.50 chicks hatched have survived into adults this year.
3.Why did the scientists put kakapo in different islands?
A.To stop closely-related kakapos mating. B.To increase the population of kakapo.
C.To stop females mating with males. D.To hatch more kakapos' eggs.
4.According to the author, the efforts to protect the kakapo in New Zealand are _______.
A.successful B.unsafe
C.doubtful D.inadequate
That morning，I dropped our eldest at kindergarten and returned home to let our two younger children play while I worked on my medical report. It was wonderful, but it hit me that my career in hospital wasn't making a difference in anyone's life. I needed something that would stretch my limits and push me to grow. My career enabled me to work from home. I could work from home, and become a foster（领养）mother, providing safety for a child who needed it desperately.
On Monday morning, I picked up the phone and dialed the number I had googled for the nearest Department of Children’ Services. The man on the other end was receptive to my questions and explained the next step of training, involving eight weeks of classes designed to prepare and educate foster parents. We continued through all the classes, the home visits , background checks, and seemingly endless steps.
Five long months after we were approved , the phone Tang. In the middle of the night , I woke my husband and rushed to East Tennessee Children's Hospital- Our placement was waiting for us in the emergency room, sick and lack of nutrition. It didn't take long for us to realize the full depth of her suffering. Six months later, her half-brother came to us by our request. We now had five children under our care.
On August 12, 2016, our family of seven walked into a small courtroom. The children's lawyer and social worker were there. With just a few words, our adoption was finalized. These two amazing children weren't going home, because they were already home. We are their forever family5 and they are our forever children. We may not be able to change the entire world, but we have changed the world entirely for our new children.
1.How did the author feel about her hospital work?
A.Unusually demanding. B.Lacking in motivation.
C.Filled with challenges・ D.Packed with chances.
2.What led the author to decide to adopt children?
A.She wanted to make a difference in other people.
B.She felt sympathetic for abused children she knew.
C.She felt confident about her ability to raise children.
D.She experienced training to raise children properly.
3.What does the underlined word "placement" in Para.3 refer to?
A.The child to be adopted. B.The need to get trained.
C.The approval of adoption. D.The official at the hospital
4.Why did the author appear at the courtroom?
A.To put the adopted kids elsewhere.
B.To receive another adopted child.
C.To begin the kids5 adoption in her home .
D.To make the adoption officially legal,
New York’s best classes for kids include sports classes, performing arts classes, art classes, language programs and baby classes. Make sure your kids are ready for new adventures with these super-cool offerings!
92nd Street Y Classes
At this institution your musician can learn how to play an instrument. After-school classes examine different musical pieces and encourage work in a group setting. At the end of the program, mini Mozarts can impress their family and friends at open-house performances. Plus, when they're not jamming, kids can take advantage of homework help in the Clubhouse, where they are divided up by grade level. Ages 5-15.
The Cliffs at LIC
After a day of fighting the academic obstacle course at school, your favorite achievers can reach new heights on a rock-climbing wall. The Cliffs, offerings allow developing bodies to build muscle strength. For example, introductory sessions teach climbers how to tie safety knots (结) as well as other basics, mastering them with hands-on games and activities. The Cliffs at LIC, Long Island City. Ages 6-18.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
This large area maintains its year-round frosty temperatures for ice-skating fun. Courses are offered every day for a variety of interests and skill levels, and public and freestyle sessions are available for children who want to spend some afternoons there without instruction. Ages 4 and up.
West Side YMCA
If your child wants to learn how to swim, you'd be pressed to find more options than those offered at the Y. Kids are grouped by age and capability. The courses cover personal safety and stroke techniques. If your offspring prefer dry land, the Y also offers dance, basketball and football. Visit website for class descriptions and detailed price information. Ages 5-18.
1.Who is the passage intended for?
A.Elementary school teachers. B.Children around school age.
C.Families looking for attraction. D.Parents with under-age children.
2.Which event will you attend for occasional academic help?
A.The Cliffs at LIC. B.West Side YMCA.
C.92nd Street Y Classes. D.Staten Island Skating Pavilion.
3.What does Staten Island Skating Pavilion provide?
A.A mini open-house performance at the end of the program.
B.Cold temperatures all the year round for ice-skating.
C.Teaching of skating in divided groups according to their age.
D.Introductory lessons on how to overcome the learning obstacles.
为配合我市开展“创建文明城市（build a civilized city）”活动，学校举办以“How to behave well”为主题的英语征文比赛。现在请你根据以下提示内容，用英语写一篇参赛短文。
1. 衣着整洁；
2. 保持环境卫生；
3. 待人有礼，乐于助人；
4. 遵守交通规则。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
How to behave well
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按给出的中文意思，用括号内所给的英语，翻译下列句子。
1.站在门口的小伙子在音乐方面很有天赋。(gift)
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2.显然，你应当为自己的行为向老师道歉。(obvious; apologize)
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3.父母们非常重视教育，希望他们的孩子可以受到良好的教育。(attach)
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4.与他争论是没用的，因为他非常固执。(argue)
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5.尽管Amy发现学钢琴很难，但她还是设法坚持了下来。(manage)
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