No doubt about that at all. Especially when you're a tall guy on a large frame. It's a life threatening reach to where the downtube levers live......

Keep in mind too that bar end shifters on drop bars are most typically used on cyclocross and touring bike setups where the tops are up even or darn near even with the saddle. So reaching to the levers on the end of the drop positions isn't anywhere near as big a deal as it would be on a serious fit style road racing bike.