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.

Letter to Senators Opposing Nomination of Scott Pruitt to Head the EPA

February 15, 2017. We joined 233 other organizations in signing this letter to Senators opposing the nomination of Scott Pruitt to head the EPA.

NCHR Testimony to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

January 25, 2017. NCHR’s Dr. Stephanie Fox-Rawlings spoke at this meeting about effective strategies to reduce antibiotic resistance.

NCHR Comments on Manufacturer Communications on Use of Off-Label Medical Products

January 6, 2017. Based on research showing the clear risks and relatively modest benefits to patients, and the even greater costs to public health when there is inadequate evidence to make informed decisions, we strongly oppose allowing companies to promote medical products for off-label uses. These views are based on evidence and have been confirmed by speaking with hundreds of patients harmed by medical products that they did not know were being used off label.

NCHR Comment on EPA’s New Chemical Review Program

January 17, 2017. As a think tank focused on public health, we strongly agree that chemicals should be carefully evaluated before they are sold, as well as afterwards. People who work around new chemicals should be informed of the risks and the appropriate protections. Thorough evaluations of new chemicals by the EPA can reduce the risks of many new chemicals, saving lives and improving the health of people who live and work in the United States.

Women’s Low Sexual Interest: NCHR Comment on FDA Guidance

December 23, 2016. There is a need to find treatments for low sexual interest, desire, and/or arousal in women, as those conditions affect women’s quality of life. However, the scientific standards should be solid, and consistent with long-term use, if that is the intent. If a sponsor does not want to conduct a large enough study to carefully evaluate safety and efficacy for all the known subgroups, the FDA should approve the drug only for those subpopulations that have been found to have benefits that outweigh the risks.