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.

Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting on Ocaliva

September 13, 2024: NCHR’s Dr. Diana Zuckerman tells FDA Advisory Committee that the data presented on Ocaliva for a rare liver disease does not meet the FDA’s standard of evidence to keep it on the market and that the results do not prove that OCA prevents death or prevents the need for a liver transplant.

Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting on Sulopenem

September 9, 2024: NCHR’s Dr. Diana Zuckerman tells FDA Advisory Committee that sulopenem antibiotic is not proven to benefit patients with uncomplicated UTI compared to amoxicillin or Cipro. It should be evaluated in terms of alleviating symptoms, not in terms of bacteria in the urine, and definitely should not be considered a first line treatment.

Testimony of Grace Drew at the FDA Advisory Committee Meeting on Imfinzi for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

July 25, 2024: At the FDA Advisory Committee meeting on a new indication for Imfinzi (durvalumab), NCHR pointed out that the AEGEAN clinical trial did not assess if Imfinzi is necessary both before and after lung tumor surgery. We strongly support the FDA scientists who stated that the trials need to be redesigned to determine whether Imfinzi both before and after surgery is more beneficial compared to Imfinzi either before or after surgery.

NCHR Letter for the Record for Hearing on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget

July 22, 2024: NCHR’s letter for the record for the House hearing: “The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget” describes the accomplishments of the CPSC and urges Congress to support CPSC’s life-saving work evaluating consumer products, especially those for children, in order to keep all of us safe.

Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition Public Comment to CMS on Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement Coverage

July 19, 2024: FDA approval of TTVR was premature and the data are inadequate to support the safety and effectiveness of TTVR for the Medicare population. The Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition urges CMS to conduct a thorough MEDCAC review prior to making a coverage decision.