The FDA has moved to revoke regulatory approval for Avastin in metastatic breast cancer, saying it is too risky. At the same time, the European counterpart of the FDA, using the same data, said it would continue treating end-stage breast cancer with Avastin when combined with chemotherapy.
A variety of drugs approved by the FDA to treat medical conditions can cause severe, sometimes fatal, complications. This is a fact. Some are withdrawn from the market permanently, or for further study, or merely slapped with a warning label.
None of us willingly settles for a life of unremitting pain especially when death is imminent.
According to the FDA, clinical trials on Avastin do not demonstrate that it extends life in the aggregate but it does allow women to live longer, without the disease worsening and in some cases ameliorating pain, for about four months. So whats four extra months of life to a woman in end-stage cancer?
The world entire.
Avastin will remain available off label because it is still approved for other cancers. In insurance company lingo, this translates into little or no reimbursement for these costly cancer drugs. A typical course of Avastin runs about $88,000. Pharmaceutical houses determine the cost. Insurance companies weigh profit and loss.
King Solomon asked two women who claimed rights to the same child to cut it in half. The woman who refused to commit the heinous act was allowed to keep her child.
Solomon is not here to judge whether your or your wife, mother, sister or daughter can receive Avastin. The FDA can be merely human, or humane. Let it choose wisely, and well.
Copyright © 2010 by the Intermountain Jewish News
