Drugs

Oncology Drug Web Sites Have Quantitative Info: FDA Study

Three FDAers say their content analysis of prescription oncology drug Web sites directed to consumers and healthcare professionals showed that the sites contain a large amount of quantitative information about the drugs’ risks and benefits. Writing in the Journal of Cancer Education, the researchers say they analyzed the content of 65 active cancer-related Rx drug Web sites to assess the inclusion and presentation of quantitative information on drug benefits and risks for consumers and healthcare professionals.

While the Web sites were equally likely to present quantitative information for benefits and risks, the study says, the amount of information differed significantly. Web sites directed either to consumers or to healthcare professionals were more likely to have quantitative information for every benefit than for every risk, the researchers found. And the numeric and graphic presentations differed by audience type and by information type.

“Research has shown that using quantitative information to communicate treatment benefits and risks can increase patients’ and physicians’ understanding and can aid in treatment decision-making, although some numeric and graphic formats are more useful than others,” the report says.

The researchers write that the availability of quantitative information may help patients learn about treatment options and may lead to informed discussions between healthcare professionals and patients. They say that healthcare professionals should be aware that the differences in how benefits and risks are presented could affect patients’ perspectives, and they should be prepared to discuss the information as part of the decision-making process.

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