Drugs

Links to Disease Web Sites Cause Confusion: Study

Consumers visiting branded prescription drug Web sites may misinterpret information learned from clicking on disease awareness Web sites shown on the drug site. That’s the conclusion of a study reported in the Journal of Health Communications that was conducted by CDER staff and other researchers. The researchers found that those visiting branded prescription drug Web sites may be unlikely to click links to disease awareness Web sites, and if they do, they are likely to attribute the disease awareness information to the advertised drug, leading to misconceptions about the drug’s benefit.

“The current research suggests that providing a disclosure before linking to a disease awareness Web site, a solution suggested by industry at FDA’s (2009) public hearing, is not sufficient to correct this confusion,” the report says. “These findings should inform FDA’s development of policy regarding the promotion of medical products on the Internet. As a result of this research, renewed interest should be placed on ensuring that online information about medical conditions and prescription drugs is accurately communicated to and understood by consumers.”

The researchers also say that doctors should be aware that patients may have misconceptions about prescription drug benefits, and they should attempt to clarify the misperceptions.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome