Oct. 6, 2021

Aduhelm and how money and politics supersede science

"Sufferers of diseases, particularly terrible ones like Alzheimer’s disease, and their loved ones need and deserve something better than science can deliver today. However, the scientific rigor of the clinical trials process where approval is only...

"Sufferers of diseases, particularly terrible ones like Alzheimer’s disease, and their loved ones need and deserve something better than science can deliver today. However, the scientific rigor of the clinical trials process where approval is only granted to drugs with a clear benefit in excess of risk needs to return.

Imagine the position this puts neurologists in today. Having a conversation with an Alzheimer’s disease patient and family about why prescribing Aduhelm does not make sense. The only thing they would likely hear is they are being robbed of hope, false though it may be. And yet, if the American Academy of Neurology were to actively advise against using Aduhelm and every neurologist in the U.S. treating Alzheimer’s disease sufferers were to refuse to prescribe it, the message to the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA would be crystal clear."

Wes Campbell is a health care economist.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Aduhelm and how money and politics supersede science." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/aduhelm-and-how-money-and-politics-supersede-science.html)

This episode is sponsored by Tradeoffs, available on your favorite podcast platform.