September 27, 2023: NCHR’s Diana Zuckerman’s testified at FDA’s Advisory Committee meeting on September 27, 2023 about tripling of deaths and no benefits of NurOwn treatment for ALS. Improvements were identical for placebo compared to NurOwn treatment, and patients should not have to pay for unproven treatment. Experimental treatment should be free through clinical trials or expanded access.
Read More »Medical Care for Adults
The National Center for Health Research reviews important new research as soon as it is published. We cut through the hype regarding various medical treatments to let you know what is proven and what is unknown about the risks and benefits of various treatment options. We do not accept funding from the companies that make medical products, so you can trust that our information is based on science, and not biased by financial ties to the treatments we’re evaluating.
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Do Antidepressants Increase Suicide Attempts? Do They Have Other Risks?
Research shows that antidepressants can increase suicide risk in people. When depressed people become somewhat less depressed, they feel less hopeless and more able to attempt suicide. But there is evidence that antidepressants may also increase the risk of suicide for other reasons, such as akathisia. Other risks from antidepressants include blood clots and birth defects. Antidepressants also have a “placebo effect” that makes the drugs seem more effective than they really are. Safe and effective alternatives include cognitive behavioral therapy and physical activity.
Read More »Everything You Need To Know to Choose Safe Cosmetic Products
Cosmetics, including shampoo and other products we all use, will cost U.S. consumers $92 billion this year. They contain various chemicals, often including harmful substances like parabens and phthalates. These products can also harm the environment and pose greater risks to salon workers. His article helps consumers read labels, reduce exposures to unsafe ingredients, and choose eco-friendly cosmetics for safety.
Read More »Everything You Need To Know About The New Weight Loss Drugs
Two popular new GLP-1 drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, help lose weight but do they improve health? In addition to unpleasant gastro-intestinal side effects, they can cause serious health problems such as stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), which can cause problems with anesthesia. They may cause thyroid cancer. Most research about the benefits of these drugs is from press releases, not published in peer-reviewed journals.
Read More »The real costs of the new Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi — and why taxpayers will foot much of the bill
KFF Health News/CBS News, Aug 1, 2023: CBS News says that the drug Leqembi for mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s is likely to cost taxpayers billions of dollars. We are among the policy experts who tell Medicare that all registry data need to be public to see if it is safe or effective. Will that happen?
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