Caroline Bradford

Jeff Shuren stabilized the FDA’s medical devices center, winning over industry but not all patients

STAT News, August 6, 2024: STAT News article on Jeff Shuren leaving the FDA quotes praise from industry and concerns from physicians, researchers, patients, and public health experts who criticize how many devices are not proven to work.

How Good Is Wegovy’s Heart Benefit? — Experts put SELECT trial findings in context

MedPage Today, August 1, 2024: When the company that makes Wegovy weight loss drugs say it reduces major cardiovascular events by 20% they really mean it reduces that risk by 1.5% for each patient. That’s because only 8% of the placebo group had major cardiovascular events, compared to 6.5% of the Wegovy patients. Isn’t that misleading? We explain why most weight loss patients will not benefit in terms of heart disease, because the benefit is small and requires staying on Wegovy for almost 3 years.

ADHD Treatment: Medications and Alternatives

ADHD is a frequently diagnosed condition, and many children and adults take medication to help control the symptoms. But the medication can have serious side effects, there are concerns that ADHD is overdiagnosed and the medications are misused or abused, and there are alternative treatments. This article explains the risk and benefits of medications and includes alternatives that can reduce dosage or replace medications.

NCHR and Consumer Groups Applaud Decision to Hold Amazon Responsible for Certain Hazardous Products

July 30, 2024: NCHR and other consumer groups’ joint press release expresses their support for the CPSC decision to hold Amazon responsible for certain hazardous products sold by third parties on their website. According to the Decision and Order, Amazon is a “distributor” of certain defective or non-compliant products and is therefore responsible for the illegal sale of those products. Amazon must submit plans to notify consumers about specific hazardous products and offer incentives to return or destroy the products.

Open Letter to the FDA: You’re Protecting the Wrong People

MedShadow, July 23, 2024: We agree with Medshadow that it is outrageous that the FDA is warning companies about fraudulent tests that mean their medications may not be safe or effective but are not warning patients who are buying these medications.