Patient input is now an essential part of medical research, but advocates are worried that with participation comes the risk of being “co-opted” by pharmaceutical companies.
As NPR reports, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now considers the patient’s point of view when reviewing new drugs. In one example, patient advocates successfully pushing for temporary approval of a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, even though available evidence hadn’t conclusively proven its effectiveness.
That drug will cost $300,000 per patient per year. Other pharmaceutical companies could use the lure of huge profits to advance their own interests using patient advocates.
“The bad news about what's happening is so much of patient input is involving patients who are working with or who are recruited by drug companies," said Diana Zuckerman, who runs a consumer group called the National Center for Health Research.
For more on how patient advocates are trying to steer clear of pharmaceuticals’ influence, and how the FDA could help, click on the link below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.