Didn’t see this coming: a little standup comedy from the FDA commissioner

I don’t usually find myself laughing at comments from FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg, but she recently gave me a good solid laugh. Not exactly LOL, but close.

This was just a few days ago when Hamburg announced that the agency was revoking approval of Avastin to treat breast cancer — a huge blow to Genentech, the maker of the drug.

For many women, this is no laughing matter because Avastin appears to be effective for some patients. But Hamburg notes that the success rate is much too low to justify the risk of exceedingly dangerous side effects.

In spite of the FDA’s decision, Medicare and probably a few insurance companies will continue to cover the off-label use of Avastin in breast cancer. That’s because the National Comprehensive Cancer Network still lists Avastin as an acceptable breast cancer treatment.

And how does Dr. Hamburg feel about that?

From her memo: “NCCN receives financial support from Genentech…and one-third of the members of the NCCN Breast Cancer Panel have received financial support from Genentech.”

She’s right. It’s an outrage. Hypocrisy at its worst.

Of course, it could just be that NCCN is following the example Hamburg’s very own FDA has set.

Time and time again we’ve seen FDA expert panels LOADED with industry insiders who have financial ties to multiple drug companies.

Doctor, heal thine own panels.

Sources:
“Proposal to Withdraw Approval of the Breast Cancer Indication for AVASTIN (Bevacizumab) — Decision of the Commissioner” FDA, 11/18/11, fda.gov