Avastin Effectiveness in Dispute
Conflict has arisen between different countries as to the effectiveness of a Canadian drug intended to treat patients suffering from breast cancer. Avastin, the Canada drug in question, has been the subject of some wildly contradictory statements made by health officials in different countries in the last week or so, and has left many people confused as to how effective it is, or if patients should have access to it at all.
Last week in the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced that it was revoking its approval for the Canadian drug, citing new studies which showed that Avastin exposes patients to potentially serious side effects while having little effect on the disease or survival rates. Ironically enough, however, on the exact same day, the European Medicines Agency came out with almost exactly the reverse position, endorsing the Canada drug as a valid part of treatment for breast cancer, along with other chemotherapy drugs.
The wildly differing opinions and advice have left many in Canada in the dark as to what the deal really is with Avastin. “We’re in the dark about all of this,” notes Joel Lexchin, a professor in the School of Policy and Management at Toronto’s York University, while David Thomas, a spokesman for Health Canada, says that the department is still “reviewing the latest evidence” and has yet to decide what action, if any, it will make itself.
Avastin is currently the best selling breast cancer drug in the world.
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