Healthy Skepticism Library item: 269

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: news

Lippman A.
Osteoporosis Drug: Letter To the Editor
The New York Times 2004 Mar 20

Full text:

To the Editor:

It may be reassuring to some to be told that the drug marketed to women fearful of developing osteoporosis has been found “safe” in research paid for by the drug’s manufacturer, and that it appears to maintain bone density in those who take it (“Osteoporosis Drug Found Safe to Take for 10 Years,” news article, March 18). But what is not underlined in your report is that there seems to be no real difference in fractures or height loss, the “outcomes” that matter most to women, between those on the drug for up to 10 years and those in the placebo groups.

The question for women remains: so what if bone density doesn’t fall off, if the medical and cosmetic outcomes are not affected? More profits for the drug and bone density measurement machinery manufacturers, true. But what about the “bottom lines” for women’s health?

ABBY LIPPMAN

Montreal, March 18, 2004

The writer is co-chairwoman, Canadian Women’s Health Network.