Noble et al report results of two Phase III placebo-controlled trials in N. America and Europe, with 779 patients total. In one trial, pirfenidone reduced FVC decline by ~4% at 72 weeks; in the other, it did not; pooling all the data, pirfenidone reduced FVC decline by 2.5% compared to placebo. There were abundant mild side effects in the treated arms (GI, photosensitivity and rash). Authors conclude the drug is "an appropriate treatment option" in IPF patients, but the FDA