What rationing? FDA may may pull approval for cancer drug over cost concerns

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

What rationing? FDA may may pull approval for cancer drug over cost concerns
By: MARK HEMINGWAY
Commentary Staff Writer
08/16/10 2:30 PM EDT

The Washington Post reports that the FDA is considering revoking approval for Avastin, a late-stage breast cancer drug, largely because they’re worried about over cost concerns:

Federal regulators are considering taking the highly unusual step of rescinding approval of a drug that patients with advanced breast cancer turn to as a last-ditch hope.

The debate over Avastin, prescribed to about 17,500 women with breast cancer a year, has become entangled in the politically explosive struggle over medical spending and effectiveness that flared during the battle over health-care reform: How should the government balance protecting patients and controlling costs without restricting access to cutting-edge, and often costly, treatments?

The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the recommendation of influential scientific advisers to revoke authorization of the drug to treat metastatic breast cancer. Contrary to initial research, new studies indicate that the benefits of the drug, which costs $8,000 a month, do not outweigh its risks, the advisory panel concluded.

[Sanguine]

...the benefits of the drug, which costs $8,000 a month, do not outweigh its risks...

 

Well, I guess that sorta depends on where you're looking at it from.

 

But, we'll get used to these sorts of decisions as we go along with government-run healthcare.

[SrWoodchuck]

It all comes down to numbers......8,000.......22........34......45........57........63.......what's the break even point that an American taxpayer is worth this type of investment?

 

Clue? Don't think it's one of the higher numbers.