NBC News and Kaiser Health News, April 6, 2024: NBC News reported the Kaiser Health News investigation showing that 10 doctors who advised FDA about Abbott’s heart device TriClip had financial ties to the company that weren’t disclosed. Their votes almost unanimously supported approval. We explain that FDA conflict of interest rules are too loose.
Read More »News That Quotes Us & Our Work
We are often quoted in major newspapers and magazines, and on well-respected TV shows, radio programs, and websites where we share our opinion on issues that matter to you and your health. Stay up to date on health news and our take on it by reading the articles in this section.
Scientists urge FDA to rescind approval of test for opioid addiction risk
Washington Post, April 5, 2024: NCHR president is one of 31 scientists urging FDA to rescind approval of AvertD DNA test that purports to predict risk of opioid addiction and urging CMS to refuse to pay for the test because it does not work and can do more harm than good.
Read More »OTC Birth Control Pill Headed to US Pharmacies: What Your Patients Should Know
Medscape March 14, 2024: What patients should know about OTC birth control pill Opill, which will be available in March 2024. How can we make sure patients know the risks and use it correctly and we point out that patients shouldn’t assume that just because it doesn’t require a prescription doesn’t mean it doesn’t have risks.
Read More »Failure of ALS drug puts a spotlight on controversial FDA approvals
Washington Post, March 16, 2024: New study results showing that the ALS drug Relyvrio does not work raises important questions about FDA’s decision to be flexible about approval even when the scientific evidence is lacking. We explain that the pendulum has swung too far and each questionable approval results in more pressure on FDA to make more questionable approvals.
Read More »Why journalists should scrutinize the FDA’s accelerated drug approval process
Healthjournalism.org, March 7, 2024 article by Association of Health Care Journalists explains the problems with the FDA accelerated approval process and gives advice on how to cover the evidence accurately. NCHR’s Diana Zuckerman explains that when FDA rescinded approval of the cancer drug Pepaxto, it was an easy call because the company took it off the market 2 years ago because of the higher death rate in a clinical trial.
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