FDA Weighs Decision on Rescinding Avastin's Approval

On its front page, the Washington Post(8/16, A1, Stein) reports that the FDA's debate on whether to rescind approval for Avastin as a breast cancer treatment "has become entangled in the politically explosive struggle over medical spending and effectiveness." The Post notes that many cancer experts, patient advocates and others are citing "a dearth of evidence of the drug's effectiveness, its potential toxic side effects, and its high cost," and are therefore "welcoming the prospect that Avastin's authorization for breast cancer might be repealed. But the possibility is alarming other cancer specialists, women taking the drug, some members of Congress and advocates for giving patients as much access to as many treatments as possible." In addition, although the "FDA is not supposed to consider costs in its decisions," the agency also knows "insurers are likely to stop paying for treatment" if it's no longer approved for the indication.