Health

AMA urges FDA to prioritize science

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 3, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

In the wake of several Food and Drug Administration actions that have been perceived by many as driven by politics rather than science, the American Medical Association took a position at its Annual Meeting in Chicago last month that the agency should not allow political considerations or conflicts of interest to overshadow scientific evidence when making policy decisions. The agency also should include the "brightest" scientists on advisory committees and councils regardless of political affiliation or voting history.

"The FDA has the responsibility to approve drugs for sale once their safety and efficacy have been demonstrated. ... The integrity of this process of approving drugs by the FDA is now in question," said Jacob Gerritsen, MD, president of the Maine Medical Assn.

The agency responded that politics did not interfere with decisions that were supposed to be scientific in nature.

"We appreciate the sentiment expressed. ...We make our decisions whether or not to approve a product based on a thorough analysis of the data," said Theresa Toigo, RPh, the FDA's acting associate commissioner of external relations, who spoke for the agency at the meeting.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/07/03/hlbf0703.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn