Bioethics in the News – Friday, February 24, 2006
February 24, 2006
FDA Balancing Act (via The Wall Street Journal)
The FDA will soon debate the question “Should a promising drug that carries a known and deadly side effect still be allowed on the market?” The drug in question, Tysabri, a drug to treat MS, was taken off the market last year after three people contracted a brain infection (two of the patients died). The Wall Street Journal does a good job of teasing out the issues the FDA will consider as it tries to find a balance between benefits and risks.
European Medicines Agency Balancing Act (via BBC)
A U.S. company that developed a genetically modified goat that produces an anti-clotting protein in its milk has been denied an application for the medication. The drug, Atryn, would have been the first produced from a genetically modified animal, according to the BBC. In short, “The European Medicines Agency said the company applying for the licence had failed to demonstrate the benefits of the drug outweighed its risks.”
World’s Largest Retailer to Improve Employee Health Benefits (via Los Angeles Times)
H. Lee Scott Jr., CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is set to give a speech to the National Governor’s Association Meeting in Washington, D.C., on Sunday in which he will outline plans to improve employee health benefits. Key changes include an expansion of the value plan health insurance option ($11-$20/mo), shortening the amount of time part-time employees will have to wait to buy into the insurance program (currently 2 years), allowing part-time employees to buy health insurance for their children, and opening clinics in stores. Wal-Mart has 1.4 million employees in the United States, and “this week reported annual profit of $11.2 billion on $312 billion in sales.” Wal-Mart already has a track record of moving employees off of Medicaid—according to a spokesperson: “Seven percent of associates join Wal-Mart already on Medicaid. Within two years, that number drops to 3%.” These new initiatives, surely, are another step in the right direction.
Quick Links and Other News Items of Interest
Tricky FDA Debate: Should a Risky Drug Be Approved Again? (Wall Street Journal)
‘Pharmed’ Goat Drug not Approved (BBC)
Wal-Mart Says It Will Boost Health Benefits (Los Angeles Times)
Kidney-Swap Couples Doing Well (Chicago Tribune)
