Imagine buying a new car only to learn that it doesn’t work as advertised and there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s essentially what happens when you take a pricey medication or need an expensive medical device like a heart valve or new knee — there’s no guarantee it will work and you won’t get your money back if it doesn’t.

In most realms of commerce, if a product fails to deliver what’s been promised, consumers are financially covered through refunds and warranties. This has never been the case with pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Increasingly, however, that’s going to change.