Advocacy Opportunity – FDA Meeting to Discuss Fluoroquinolones

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is holding a meeting on November 5, 2015 to discuss the benefits and risks of fluoroquinolones. Per the FDA notice, the agenda for the meeting is:

“The committees will discuss the risks and benefits of the systemic fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis in patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in the context of available safety information and the treatment effect of antibacterial drugs in these clinical conditions.”

They are opening the meeting for public testimony and if you are in the Silver Spring, Maryland area I encourage you to attend the meeting and to testify at it. (I would love to go, but I’m in Colorado, so not exactly nearby.)

They are also accepting written testimony. Please send your story/testimony to Jennifer Shepherd, the contact person, by October 22, 2015. Jennifer’s contact information is:

Jennifer Shepherd, RPh.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
WO31-2417
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Phone: 301-796-9001
Fax: 301-847-8533
E-mail: AMDAC@fda.hhs.gov

PLEASE take the time to tell your story to the FDA. The adverse effects of fluoroquinolones are too severe for it to be appropriate for them to be used for sinusitis or uncomplicated urinary tract infections. This is your opportunity to share your story directly with the FDA, and the committee that determines how fluoroquinolones are used.

More information can be found in these announcement links –

http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm465275.htm

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/10/01/2015-24836/joint-meeting-of-the-antimicrobial-drugs-advisory-committee-formerly-known-as-the-anti-infective

THANK YOU!!!