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.

Scientific Coalition Comment on CMS’s Proposed Decision Memo on Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

February 10, 2022: We strongly support the CMS proposed decision to limit the coverage of these Alzheimer’s drugs to patients participating in clinical trials, as a way to determine if the drug is safe and effective for Medicare patients before covering the cost for millions of patients. This will provide the scientific evidence needed so that patients and family members can make informed decisions based on unbiased information.

NCHR Comments on CMS’s Proposed Decision Memo on Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

February 10, 2022: We strongly support the CMS proposed decision to limit the coverage of this class of drugs while requiring additional clinical trials to ensure safety and effectiveness for the Medicare population.

Statement by Dr. Diana Zuckerman on Sintilimab at FDA Advisory Committee on Oncologic Drugs

February 10, 2022: NCHR president Dr. Diana Zuckerman testifies to the FDA Advisory Committee on Oncologic Drugs on Sintilimab.

NCHR’s Letter to Elmsford NY Superintendent and District Clerk

NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman warns Elmsford NY officials about the risks of artificial turf and rubber playground surfaces, citing research on lead, PFAS, and hormone-disrupting chemicals that threaten children’s health.

NCHR Comments on FDA’s Draft Guidance for Industry on Using RND to Support Regulatory Decision-Making

January 24, 2022. Although well-designed RWD and RWE studies can provide useful information about drug safety and even effectiveness, there are major shortcomings if RWD and RWE studies replace rather than supplement data from well-designed clinical trials. We therefore strongly encourage the FDA to make it clear that studies based on RWE should only be considered to provide supplemental evidence that can support regulatory decision-making for drugs and biological products.