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.

Statement on the FDA/EPA Dietary Advisory on Methylmercury in Fish

March 19, 2004. By any standard, FDA’s current efforts at protecting the American public from the health risks of mercury in fish do not do enough to protect the public or to educate them so that they can protect themselves.

Testimony at FDA Food Advisory Committee on Methylmercury

December 11, 2003. According to information provided to this Advisory Committee yesterday by Dr. Carrington and Dr. Bolger, the proposed limit of 12 oz. of fish per week would not significantly decrease consumers’ current exposure to methylmercury.

NCHR Testimony at FDA on Hylaform

November 21, 2003. One concern about Hylaform is the lack of data for African Americans and Asian Americans. Only three of the patients are African American and only five are Asian American.

NCHR Testimony at FDA on Restylane

November 21, 2003. It is clear that both women and men alike continue to search for the fountain of youth. We know that these products are widely used, and that’s why they should be carefully studied. They should be approved if they are safe and effective.

Testimony at FDA on Silicone Gel Breast Implants

October 15, 2003. The FDA’s study, described by Dr. Lori Brown yesterday, is the best designed study ever conducted on the topic. One reason for its superiority is that it focused on women who were basically happy with their implants, and who had implants for at least 7 years.