Also, from that pool of drugs you're referring to, we've eliminated a number of things that had strong effects but whose side-effects were later found after careful study to not outweigh the benefits.

There is a similar effect from carefully studying devices/surgical interventions--not so much a raft of "new innovations" but rather the culling of a lot of things that were overused or actually harmful. Huge cost savings, big improvements in population health & lots of gored oxen.