Avastin: a harmful drug for women
June 30, 2011
News Worldwide
Food and Drug Administration panel Wednesday took a major step towards ending the use of best-selling drug Avastin to treat advanced breast cancer in the United States, despite complaints from confused patients, and the company producing the drug.
Spiritual Six of the FDA advisory committee unanimously that the drug was damaging to women than it helps. The FDA Official Margaret A. Hamburg has made a final decision, but the agency commissioners usually follow the recommendations of the Advisory Group.
The fate of the drug for breast cancer has been closely monitored by patients, oncologists, advocates for the health of women, responsible for health policies, politicians and the pharmaceutical industry.
The case has provoked strong reactions from supporters of easier access to new treatments and critics fear that rationing of health care. It is also considered one of the most visible evidence of scientific medicine led public protests ring. Finally, clinical trials do not support pledged at the start of the drug for the treatment of breast cancer.
I think everyone wanted to succeed Avastin, but the reality is that these studies do not support that hope, said Natalie Compagni Portis representing patients in the panel.
If the FDA removes Avastin is approved to treat breast cancer, the agent will be available for other cancers, allowing doctors to prescribe it “off label” for patients with breast cancer. But the decision is likely to ask insurers to stop paying for the drug – which costs about $ 88 000 per year per patient – for the treatment of breast cancer.. The breast cancer patients also lose a program sponsored by the manufacturer of the drug , Genentech, which caps the annual cost of about $ 57,000 for women who earn less than $ 100,000 a year.
A terrible tragedy happened, said Frank Burroughs, Abigail, and the Alliance for better access to drug development, which is one of the groups that has pressed to maintain the FDA approval of Avastin, because it is beneficial for some patients.
But the decision was welcomed by others, including several large groups of breast cancer advocacy and experts said it was important for the Agency to base its decisions on scientific evidence, not emotional appeals, especially when lives are at stake and control of health spending is crucial if the country’s economy.
Now we need to focus and resources on drugs that will really make a difference for women with breast cancer. Avastin is not, said Fran Visco of the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
I think it’s great that they are willing to make the call lasts, said H. Gilbert Welch is a Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.
The FDA is not expected to recognize the costs of drug approval, and officials stressed that the price was irrelevant. But come amid an ongoing debate in National Review Obama’s health care, the struggle of Avastin has become entangled in the fight politically sensitive medical costs and effectiveness.
Posted by Sid A · Filed Under World news
