Pink Sheet, January 16, 2023: FDA and CDC failed to be transparent regarding their analysis of whether the Pfizer bivalent COVID vaccine increase strokes in older patients. There seems to be disagreement about how to explain the findings and the bottom line is that the agencies “don’t want to be asked questions” by experts in public.
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.
Medicare, patient advocates at odds over coverage for an expensive new Alzheimer’s therapy
PoliticoPro, January 18, 2023: Public health and patient advocates disagree on whether Medicare should cover Leqembi, a questionable new treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. We express doubts that the benefits outweigh the risks and the Patient, Consumer and Public Health Coalition urges Medicare to restrict coverage to clinical trials as they do for Aduhelm.
Read More »An FDA pathway to clear medical devices puts patients at risk, research suggests
Stat News, January 10, 2023: When FDA clears medical devices based on similar “predicate” devices that were previously recalled, that puts patients’ lives at risk. It’s easy to fix: Don’t allow recalled predicates!
Read More »FDA approves Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab amid safety concerns
Nature, January 7, 2023: FDA approved Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab (Leqembi) under the accelerated approval pathway, despite safety concerns. 3 patients died. It has serious risks, is not proven to work, and will cost $26,500/year. Dr. Zuckerman points out that those risks may outweigh the benefits for people with mild impairment who are still functioning well.
Read More »ALS patients contend with $158K price tag on new drug
AP, December 18, 2022: Patients with ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) celebrated when FDA approved Relyvrio in 2022. But it costs $158k despite combining two old ingredients, the benefits are unclear, and the effective ingredient may be the one sold by Amazon for $1/day. Important research is underway to find out if the ingredient available on Amazon is equally or more effective, says Dr. Diana Zuckerman of National Center for Health Research.
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