FDA: Avastin Has No Effect For Breast Cancer Patients
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Officials from the Food and Drug Administration said Friday that the drug Avastin should no longer be used in breast cancer patients.
The FDA said there's no proof the drug extends breast cancer patients' live and causes dangerous side effects.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said Friday's decision was difficult, but that patients must have confidence that drugs sold for their condition are effective, and Avastin was not.
The ruling from the FDA was expected, but, thousands of women who say they've run out of other options.
Avastin won't be pulled from store shelves because it's also used to treat colon cancer and some other cancerous tumors. However, the FDA's ruling may influence insurance coverage of Avastin.
Medicare said Friday that it will cover Avastin while it looks at whether a change is needed.
