NCHR Author

Trump’s Proposed Changes Gut FDA While Targeting Drug Prices

Legal Reader, February 2, 2017. In a study published on the JAMA Network, Dr. Zuckerman and her co-author, Tracy Rupp, looked at certain new – and expensive – cancer drugs. They found that many of these drugs failed to improve patient quality of life or extend patient life.

Treatments for Stress Incontinence in Women

While stress incontinence may feel embarrassing or demoralizing, remember that it is a medical condition that affects millions of women, and it can be lessened or cured without invasive surgery. Since Kegel exercises are the simplest, safest, and most effective treatment, it should be tried first, but must be done regularly. In fact, Kegel exercises alone, when performed correctly, daily, and for at least six weeks, are extremely likely to reduce symptoms. In the meantime, you can help reduce your symptoms by scheduling regular bathroom breaks, wearing an absorbent liner, or losing weight if you need to.

Trump Calls for Lower Drug Prices, Fewer Regulations in Meeting with Pharmaceutical Executives

The Washington Post, January 31, 2017. President Trump met with leaders of some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies Tuesday and emphasized the need to lower “astronomical” drug prices, decrease regulations and bring more drug manufacturing into the United States. “There are many empty positions at the FDA,” said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research. The recently enacted 21st Century Cures law provided for additional hiring authority. “But with the hiring freeze, will they be able to hire anyone?” she asked.

Trump Vows to Ease Rules for Drug Makers, But Again Zeros in on Prices

The New York Times, January 31, 2017. President Trump promised some of the nation’s top drug company executives in a meeting at the White House on Tuesday that he would slash regulations at the Food and Drug Administration and make it easier for them to manufacture products in the United States. “Streamlining drug approvals sounds good, but the agency has already weakened approval standards and patients are paying the price — hugely expensive drugs that don’t even work,” said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, a Washington research group that advocates strong safety and efficacy standards. She recently studied expensive new cancer drugs and found that many did not help patients feel better or live longer.

ACA Repeal Talk Sparks Fears Among Those with Pre-existing Conditions

The Times-Standard, January 28, 2017. The possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act reintroduces a fear among people with pre-existing conditions of maintaining health insurance. Under the ACA, pre-existing conditions were not counted against applicants seeking coverage through the state’s exchange, Covered California, but that could change if ACA is repealed and replaced under the Trump administration.