Before I leave the hotel for my DC day, here's a quick news story. The US Food and Drug Administration could do a better job at reviewing drugs. No, that's not news.
Here's the news story: The Institute of Medicine, the people who stated that between 50-98 thousand people die each year from hospital errors, released a report Friday criticizing the FDA about how it reviews drugs, according to this report. Don't get me wrong, the FDA itself ask for the review.
Newly approved drugs in the U.S. should carry a warning that their safety isn't guaranteed, the medications should be reviewed in five years, and they shouldn't be advertised for two years, according to a report released Friday.Ok, let me get this straight. They want to put a warning that the safety isn't guaranteed? Why not put the same statement here that's on all herbal medicines: "This medication is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." In fact, I believe that this puts more regulations than on herbal medicines.The report, released by the U.S. Institute of Medicine, said the Food and Drug Administration hasn't done enough to oversee new drug safety. The institute said the medications should carry a symbol, such as a black triangle, indicating they might not be safe. It also suggests agency rules be enforceable with fines.
"This report should be a watershed moment for FDA reform," said [Iowa Senator Charles] Grassley. "Public safety is at stake, along with the credibility of our nation's drug-safety agency."FDA reform? Gimme a break. This is government bureaucracy. No one in this town that I'm sitting in right now has the courage and the political clout to do anything about it. The FDA is a good punching bag and the status quo will remain after all the hype. It's kind of like saying United Nations reform. Yeah right...