November, 2017. Our new book chapter explains the risks and benefits of different types of breast implants, and challenges the myth that “gummy bear” implants are safer.
American Journal of Public Health, November, 2017. In a guest editorial by CPTF president Dr. Diana Zuckerman, she questions whether the FDA’s plan to get generic drugs on the market more quickly is enough to make prescription drugs – and health insurance—affordable.
Fox 5 News, September 18, 2017. 11 artificial turf fields in DC failed their recent tests, leading to closures, replacements, and igniting another debate over the safety of synthetic turf. CPTF president points out these fields and playgrounds can cause cancer.
STAT News, September 12, 2017. The Food and Drug Administration carefully polices many categories of drugs and devices. But when it comes to software, the agency’s oversight is scanty at best — something that a new study finds is resulting in failure to detect dangerous glitches in software-enabled medical equipment.
The innovation of medical IT has the potential to save lives, but even a small “glitch” can harm patients. Our study found hundreds of recalls of flawed devices that affected millions of patients. Examples include electronic medical records that provide info about the wrong patient and “physician support” devices that miscalculate the dosage of medication. But the FDA is set to deregulate these devices.
September 8, 2017. I am going to Charlottesville on September 13 to honor Dr. Vivian Pinn, our 2013 Foremother Awards honoree, as a major UVA medical school building is named in her honor. Dr. Pinn received her medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1967, where she was the only African-American and only woman in her graduating class.