We’re Speaking Out on Health Issues

NCHR scientists and health policy experts provide written and oral statements on a wide range of topics.

Here are many of the ways we have been Speaking Out on Health Policy Issues for the last few years. Whether the topic is legislation intended to cure diseases, proposed bans on BPA or other chemicals that disrupt your hormones, the importance of including women, people of color, and patients over 65 in clinical trials, or many other topics, you’ll gain a better understanding of our evidence-based analyses by reading these letters, statements, and testimony.

Here are the ways we have been Speaking out on Medical Treatments and Products, such as prescription drugs and medical devices that the FDA is considering approving, or is considering taking off the market because of serious risks. Whether the topic is Chantix, Addyi, Yaz, Essure, or medical products you’ve never heard of, you can find out more about what is known and not known about the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of products by looking through this section of our website.

NCHR Comment on the Reauthorization of MDUFA

September 4, 2025: NCHR’s written public comment to FDA on MDUFA says user fees should support improvements in safety and effectiveness by paying for salaries for staff to improve premarket review, post-market surveillance and other activities, and inspections of manufacturing facilities. Industry has benefitted from MDUFA’s speedier reviews and more meetings with FDA staff, but what patients and consumers need most is safer and more effective medical devices. We deserve clear information about risks and benefits, and we can’t get that when 96+% of devices are not studied in clinical trials before being sold.

Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Plastic Surgery Advisory Panel Meeting On Dermal Fillers for the Decolletage Area

August 13, 2025: Diana Zuckerman testified at the FDA panel meeting about the risks of dermal filler for decolletage. Known risks include pain, lumps, rashes, stroke, and interference with breast cancer screening. We explained that patients and their physicians need specific information about the frequency of these risks so that they can make informed decisions about whether they want this cosmetic procedure.

NCHR Public Comment on the Continued Implementation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey

In our public comment to the CDC, we strongly supported the continued operation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) for the 2026-2028 cycle. NYTS is the cornerstone of public health surveillance in this field and we reminded CDC and FDA that evaluating the youth use of tobacco products is an essential tool of U.S. public health strategies to reduce cancer, heart disease, and chronic diseases that are key to the MAHA movement.

After 10 Years, the FDA Is Still Letting Women Down

This excellent Drugwatch article explains that FDA lets women down when they approve drugs and devices for cancer and many other serious diseases, which often don’t work well on women and can be harmful. The article quotes Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other experts, and provides examples of specific medical products that you may have used or want to avoid.

NCHR Written Comments on the Reauthorization of PDUFA

August 14, 2025: National Center for Health Research written comment urges FDA to use PDUFA user fees to improve drug safety and effectiveness, not just faster approvals. All programs included in Commitment Letter should emphasize the scientific standards and evidence that will ensure that drugs and biologics have meaningful benefits for patients that outweigh any risks.