On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti A doctor's fix for America's ailing medication market
Jan 1, 1970
Dr. Jerry Avorn, a Harvard Medical School professor and author of 'Rethinking Medications', sheds light on the profit-driven compromises affecting prescription drugs. He discusses the evolution of FDA regulations and the troubling approval processes, like that of the Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm. Avorn emphasizes the tension between drug safety and escalating prices, critiquing the current system while advocating for reforms. He also addresses urgent issues like the fentanyl crisis and the unregulated supplement market, calling for better support for those struggling with substance abuse.
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FDA's Funding Conflict Explained
- Half of FDA's review staff salaries are paid by the drug industry via user fees.
- This creates an uncomfortable conflict of interest in drug approval oversight.
FDA Not to Blame for High Drug Costs
- High drug prices are not mainly caused by FDA regulations or slow approvals.
- The FDA is among the fastest regulatory agencies, approving drugs quickly especially in critical cases like COVID.
Public Funds Fuel Drug Discovery
- Much foundational drug research is publicly funded by NIH before companies develop drugs.
- The public rarely benefits from this investment when paying high drug prices later.
