Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8173

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Wechsler J.
Safety first
Pharmaceutical Technology 1998 Sep; 22:16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28

Abstract:

Concerns about whether regulatory reforms and efforts by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed the drug approval process are compromising product safety are discussed. The larger issues are how much risk the public should bear in return for faster access to important new therapies and what initiatives can improve the agency’s ability to detect safety problems. Another concern is to what extent increased outlays for prescription drugs are the result of expanded use or too high prices set by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Senate hearings may provide a forum for discussing the rising prices of new medications and the calls for price controls.