June 14, 2018. The pivotal trial does not provide sufficient evidence for effectiveness or safety. Questions about whether the device is effective are exacerbated by the lack of consistency with the crossover data, the differences between US patients and those outside the US, and the lack of blinding. The long-term follow up data are difficult to interpret without controls.
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 at the FDA about a Circulatory System Device
June 12, 2018. Since it is a high-risk device, the INCRAFT AAA Stent Graft System should be held to a high standard for approval. As you determine whether you have reasonable assurance of this device’s safety and effectiveness, we urge you to consider the benefits and risks for patients.
Read More »NCHR Comments on FDA’s Draft Guidance on Inclusion of Pregnant Women in Clinical Trials
June 8, 2018. We commend the FDA in its efforts to provide guidance on the inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials. Currently, there is limited information regarding benefits and risks of drugs in pregnant women, including potential benefits and risks to the fetus.
Read More »NCHR Co-Signs Letter of Support for Patient Advocacy Transparency Act
March 8, 2018 The Honorable Claire McCaskill United States Senate 503 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC, 20510 Dear Senator McCaskill: We welcome the Patient Advocacy Transparency Act, which will expand the Physician Payments Sunshine Act to include disclosure of pharmaceutical and medical device company payments to advocacy organizations, professional societies, and other third parties. […]
Read More »NCHR Testimony at FDA about Buprenorphine Sublingual Spray, Buvaya
May 22, 2018: Opioids can be greatly beneficial and, as we all know too well, can also produce tremendous harms for patients suffering from pain. Buvaya presents concerning safety issues, its benefits seem minimal, and the delayed benefit for patients may result in overuse or misuse in the real world. Please carefully consider the risks of putting another non-abuse-deterrent opioid on the market and whether the sponsor’s attempts to reduce misuse and abuse are sufficient. We do not think so and more important, there is no evidence demonstrating that this product will be misused less often than other opioids. We therefore urge you to vote that the benefits of Buvaya do not outweigh its risks.
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