This report will examine how TMS became a frequently used treatment for depression in the United States despite what the research of the last decade shows about its very questionable effectiveness.
Read More »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 Testimony to the FDA Patient Engagement Advisory Committee on Medical Devices
November 15, 2019. NCHR testified to the FDA regarding social media surrounding medical devices, and how it affects patient engagement.
Read More »NCHR Testimony on Brexanolone for Postpartum Depression
November 2, 2018. We urge the committee to require more persuasive evidence on the safety of this drug. It is our moral obligation to patients to make sure that all drugs with this risk potential are scrutinized and held to a higher standard in the approval process.
Read More »NCHR Testimony on the Opioid Buprenorphine/Samidorphan for Depression
November 1, 2018. The clinical trial data do not provide adequate evidence that buprenorphine/samidorphan reduces the symptoms of depression. There are concerns about it potential for long-term harms to patients and others who might misuse or abuse it. BUP/SAM needs to provide strong evidence of efficacy before approval.
Read More »NCHR Comments on the FDA’s Post-Marketing Pediatric-Focused Product Safety Reviews
September 28 2018. In its public comment, NCHR calls for better monitoring of children’s drug side effects, stronger warning labels, and parent-friendly information about risks of ADHD drugs and medical devices. The FDA’s current reporting system misses many adverse reactions due to under-reporting, and psychiatric risks from ADHD medications need more prominent warnings.
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