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April 23, 2009 Newsletter
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
CMPI NEWS
www.cmpi.org
Lethal Science
Reflections Magazine
By Robert M. Goldberg, PhD
April 2009
There are many in Congress who believe that comparative effectiveness
research is a science. Science we know about the biology of disease to the ability to diagnose, treat and prevent illness. That is, research to address the underlying causes of diseases comparatively more effective than what we currently have, but as the
essayist and physician Lewis Thomas noted, will lead to preventive
technologies that are ultimately cheaper.
http://www.cmpi.org/in-the-news/in-the-news-feature/when-doctors-opt-out/
Chronic Conditions Hamstring Reform
San Jose Mercury News
By Peter J. Pitts
April 17, 2009
President Barack Obama has recently reaffirmed his conviction that "we must
have quality, affordable health care for every American.
This is an important goal. In the health care debate, though, misconceptions
abound and this hurts reform efforts. As lawmakers move forward, they must
be aware of the facts. And they must be clear on the precise causes of
America¹s health care woes.
http://www.cmpi.org/in-the-news/in-the-news/chronic-conditions-hamstring-reform/
DRUGWONKS BLOG
www.drugwonks.com
No Pain, No Gain
By Peter Pitts
April 20, 2009
The issue at hand is opiods but there¹s a larger issue how can the FDA,
industry, physicians, pharmacists and patients work together to enhance the
safe use of medicines.
The theory is that the way to make drugs ³safer² is to ensure they are used
appropriately.
http://www.drugwonks.com/blog_post/show/6735
Or May As The New Theme Song For Comparative Effectiveness Decisions?
By Robert M. Goldberg, PhD
April 16, 2009
Comparative effectiveness research might lead to people being denied life
saving care but at least they would get to choose the music they die
to...free of charge I hope....
http://www.drugwonks.com/blog_post/show/6733
CMPI VIDEO
At CMPI¹s First Annual Odyssey Award Gala in February honoring Celgene CEO
Dr. Sol Barer, former NFL Linebacker Elijah Alexander joined us to share his
emotionally poignant story about how drug innovation positively impacted his
life.
To view Elijah Alexander¹s remarks at the Gala, click here:
http://vimeo.com/4199242
ARTICLES OF NOTE
Democrats Move Closer to OFast Track¹ for Obama Health Care Plan
FOX News
April 22, 2009
Democrats moved one step closer Wednesday to using a controversial budget
procedure to speed passage of President Obama's health care legislation.
House Democrats went on record again in favor of advancing the legislation
while allowing only limited debate, which would hobble the ability of
Republicans to wrest concessions on one of Obama's top domestic priorities.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/22/democrats-want-speedy-health-care-debate/
Healthcare Words Versus Realities
RealClearPolitics
By Thomas Sowell
April 21, 2009
Much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, I must report the shocking
facts: Medical care is medical care. Nothing more and nothing less.
This may not seem like a breakthrough on the frontiers of knowledge. But it
completely contradicts what is being said by many of those who are urging
"universal health care" because so many Americans lack health insurance.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/21/words_versus_realities_96086.html
Prescriptions For A Better HHS
The American
By Tevi Troy
April 20, 2009
The world of biomedical innovation faces numerous challenges, especially
cost and uncertainty.
The Department of Health and Human Service is integrally involved throughout
the process of creating and bringing to market new pharmaceutical and
biomedical innovations increasingly, post-market evaluation of existing products. It faces enormous challenges in the months ahead as an ambitious new administration pushes to overhaul the nation¹s healthcare system.
http://www.american.com/archive/2009/april-2009/prescriptions-for-a-better-hhs
My Drug Problem
The Atlantic
Virginia Postrel
April 2009
If I lived in New Zealand, I¹d be dead.
That¹s the lead my editor wanted me to write, and I have to admit it¹s
great. Alas (for this column, at least), it¹s not exactly true. But neither
is it false. And the ways in which it¹s partly true matter greatly, not just
to me or to New Zealanders but to anyone who might get cancer or care about
someone who does.
The American health-care system may be a crazy mess, but it is the prime
mover in the global ecology of medical treatment, creating the world¹s
biggest market for new drugs and devices. Even as we argue about whether or
how our health-care system should change, most Americans take for granted
our access to the best available cancer treatments arguably saved my life.
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/postrel-drugs
Defending "My Drug Problem"
The Atlantic
By Virginia Postrel
April 2009
Before embarking on this new discussion, I hope readers will read (or
re-read) my original article http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903/postrel-drugs, since the more emotionally and politically charged the subject, the more likely letter
writers are to respond to something different from what appears on the page.
Thus, in the minds of some readers, my cautionary tale about the tradeoffs
involved in centrally controlling drug costs, told in part through the story
of my own experience with the cancer drug Herceptin, became a brief for a
particular health-care system informed by a mountain of studies on Herceptin, drug-pricing, and treatment diffusion, as well as considerable reporting, was attacked for relying
solely on personal anecdote.
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200903u/postrel-drugs-response
DONATE
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UPCOMING CMPI EVENT
The Odyssey Project Medical Innovation:
The 21st Century Solution for 21st Century Health Care
Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:30am 10:30 am
National Press Club
Holeman Lounge
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045
Introduction by Former Congressman Mike Ferguson, Senior Fellow, CMPI
The Honorable Mike Rogers, (R-MI), House Subcommittee on Health
The Honorable Anna Eshoo, (D-CA) Vice Chair, 21st Century Health Care Caucus
Elijah Alexander, President, Tackle Myeloma Foundation
Former NFL Linebacker Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts
John F. Crowley, President & CEO, Amicus Therapeutics, Founder,
JohnFCrowley.org
http://cmpi.org/about-us/events/the-odyssey-project/
To RSVP to this event, please email Meryl Reichbach at mreichbach@cmpi.org
or call 212-417-9169 |
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