On Medical Treatments & Products Archives

NCHR Comments on Risks and Benefits of Menopause Hormone Therapy

In response to a request for public comments, NCHR tells FDA that hormones for menopause have cancer risks and benefits, depending on when women take them and what type of hormones. Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) doesn’t decrease dementia or heart disease. Vaginal hormone creams have short-term benefits but any long-term risks are unknown.

Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Advisory Committee Meeting on Risks of 3 Heat Sticks And Other IQOS Tobacco Products

Diana Zuckerman spoke on behalf of NCHR and CPTF at Oct 2025 FDA Tobacco Advisory Committee TPSAC meeting on whether Phillip Morris heat sticks and other IQOS products should continue to be marketed as low risk. We pointed out that these products have evidence of substantial risks in the short-term and long-term risks are likely to be greater.

Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee On Examining Policies to Enhance Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Technologies

September 18, 2025, House Energy & Commerce Committee: Dr Diana Zuckerman testified about why Medicare should not be required to pay for all Breakthrough medical devices and multi-cancer diagnostic tests unless they are proven safe, effective, reasonable, and necessary for Medicare age patients.

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 Comment on Hernia Mesh Package Labeling Recommendations

Why are there tens of thousands of reports to FDA of patients harmed by mesh used in hernia repair? NCHR points out that the FDA proposed guidance is unlikely to reduce that harm because it does not point out the many serious risks of mesh. We tell the FDA that mesh labeling should have warnings about frequency of the many adverse events of specific mesh products, and FDA should require research to determine which products are safer and which are more dangerous, and for which patients.