September 23, 2019. In general, we support the USPSTF draft recommendation related to HCV screening in adults; however, we are concerned about the potential for anxiety, stress, and other psychological harms for patients who are diagnosed with HCV but cannot afford to obtain treatment.
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 on Non-Prescription Nicotine Mouth Spray
September 18, 2019: This nicotine mouth spray has already been approved in several other countries, but that doesn’t mean that it is good product for the U.S. If we’ve learned anything from the Juul and vaping epidemic, it is that anything that delivers nicotine over the counter or online can be misused.
Read More »NCHR Comment on FDA’s Draft Guidance Regarding Use of an Alternate Name for Potassium Chloride in Food Labeling
September 17, 2019. NCHR supports the name “potassium salt” in the ingredient statement as an alternative to the name “potassium chloride.” The name “potassium salt” would be more understandable to consumers and manufacturers, thereby facilitating sodium reductions in processed foods and improving public health.
Read More »NCHR Testimony on Peanut Allergen Powder for Children with Peanut Allergy
September 13, 2019. This is the first treatment for peanut allergies and if this drug is approved despite the unanswered questions, it will set a precedent for future drugs to treat food allergies. It is especially important that new classes of products provide strong evidence of safety and efficacy before approval, because it will be difficult if not impossible to obtain it afterwards.
Read More »NCHR Comment on FDA’s Draft Guidance to Industry on Establishing Effectiveness and Safety for Hormonal Drug Products Intended to Prevent Pregnancy
September 10, 2019: In response to FDA’s request for public comments, we stated that the agency should require better testing of hormonal birth control pills and patches. Current studies don’t include enough women with higher BMIs or track blood clot risks properly. Our comments push for stronger safety standards that test hormonal contraceptives on women of all weights, especially since some birth control methods may be less effective or more dangerous for larger women.
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