On Health Policy Archives

Letter to Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Maryland’s Secretary of Health, in Support of Banning the Sale of Baby Bumper Pads in Maryland

September 28, 2012. The ASTM standard that claims some bumper pads are less risky will muddle the safety issue even more and give parents a false sense of security. Maryland’s proposed ban on crib bumper pads will help to protect more than 70,000 babies born in the state each year, and that is a bottom line upon which we should all agree.

Letter to Representative Markey in Support of Legislation That Would Give the FDA Authority to Oversee Compounding Pharmacies

October 21, 2012. This letter expresses support for Massachusetts Representative Ed Markey’s proposed legislation that would give the FDA more authority over compounding pharmacies.

NCHR Statement on Compounding Pharmacies: Loopholes That Kill

October 31, 2012. We call on Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation necessary to protect our families from these predictable, preventable tragedies.

Statement of NCHR On Behalf of Members of the Patient, Consumer and Public Health Coalition on Bumper Pads

October 2012. Members of our coalition of nonprofit organizations strongly oppose the use of ASTM International Standard (F1917-12) as a safety standard for baby bumper pads. Instead, Maryland’s proposed ban on crib bumper pads will help to protect more than 70,000 babies born in the state each year, and that is a bottom line upon which we should all agree.

Comments on Requirement for Premarket Approval for Shortwave Diathermy for All Other Uses

October 4, 2012. Members of the Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition strongly support the FDA’s proposed rule to require Premarket Approval Application (PMA) for the Class III preamendments device Shortwave Diathermy (SWD) for all other uses except for the treatment of malignancies. However, we oppose FDA’s proposal to allow a Product Development Protocol (PDP) instead of a PMA for this device because PDPs are for devices where a sponsor comes to an “early agreement with FDA as to what would be done to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a new device.”