By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    health suppliments
    Experience Life in a Better Way by Experimenting with Supplements!
    November 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    How is Gaming Changing the Landscape in Health Care? Part 1 | Fabio Gratton, Ignite Health
    January 5, 2012
    They Call This Research?
    April 26, 2011
    Teachers Get Free Botox in Buffalo
    January 28, 2012
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: An Insider’s Look at the FDA
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > An Insider’s Look at the FDA
Business

An Insider’s Look at the FDA

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: October 14, 2011 7:53 am
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

If you’ve read my blogs for a while, or look up some past blogs, you’ll see I have been frustrated at times with the FDA. Yes, they have a tough job protecting us from medical products that are unsafe and/or ineffective. But when it comes to cancer, where we have few “homerun” therapies, I wish they were a bit more liberal. A “bunt single” might be good enough. You may have read how I have been critical of Dr.

If you’ve read my blogs for a while, or look up some past blogs, you’ll see I have been frustrated at times with the FDA. Yes, they have a tough job protecting us from medical products that are unsafe and/or ineffective. But when it comes to cancer, where we have few “homerun” therapies, I wish they were a bit more liberal. A “bunt single” might be good enough. You may have read how I have been critical of Dr. Rick Pazdur, the FDA leader for oncology drug approval. Some desperate patients and family members have referred to him as “Dr. No.”

Just the other day I interviewed a respected breast cancer survivor and patient advocate who has high respect for Dr. Pazdur. Musa Mayer of New York City is a 22-year breast cancer survivor and author of three books about breast cancer. She’s devoted her life to educating other patents about cancer and also playing a role in public policy. She has become a favorite patient representative on FDA cancer advisory boards and regularly weighs in when breast cancer drugs are being considered.

In my interview with Musa she explained how difficult it is for the FDA, how they must set the bar very high to maintain public trust and public safety. She says it costs drug companies hundreds of millions of dollars to get a drug through development, clinical trials and FDA review. The process does not move fast. Musa explains why. And she also explains why patients should not have false hope about clinical trials. She maintains their usefulness is to answer specific scientific questions but that seeing it as for sure that you will get “tomorrow’s medicine today” only creates false hope.

More Read

healthcare technology
Florida Pill Mill Clinics
The Importance of Professional Webhosts for Healthcare Providers
Unsustainable Health Care System
How Safe Is Your Hospital?
Examining Relationship Based Physician Recruitment

I asked Musa if she was optimistic that drugs could be approved faster, and therefore save and prolong more lives. She said yes. Her reason is that more drug companies are making sure there’s a diagnostic test to go along with their proposed new drug. That way the drug is used on the subset of patients who have the specific cancer variation where the drug works best. That kind of targeted therapy is what the FDA is looking for now and the right test, on the right patient, who is then treated with the right drug could present very positive results the FDA cannot ignore.

Maybe I am wrong about Dr. Pazdur, and maybe I’ve been unfair to the FDA. I’ll have to re-listen to the interview with Musa. She presents a convincing case. See what you think and let me know!

Wishing you and your family the best of health!

Andrew

TAGGED:cancerFDApharmaceuticals
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

AthenaHealth Makes a Move, Buys Epocrates

January 15, 2013
emergency situations
Hospital Administration

Tips to Improve Your Healthcare Facility’s Response to Medical Emergencies

February 26, 2021
Dr Bones McCoy
BusinessMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsTechnology

The Real Medical Tricorder: When Science and Fiction Collide

March 11, 2014

Tell Your Story: 2013 Costs of Care Essay Contest Is Open!

September 13, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?