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Evaluation
F.D.A. Approves new flu medicine
Our summary summary
This story is one of two that we are looking at, which is the FDA's approval of a drug that is designed to help patients recover from flu symptoms (the second story is from ABC News). The drug is baloxavir marboxil, marketed under the brand name Xofluza. the New York Times The story touches most of the points we want to see in a story about a new drug.
Why is it important
The criteria we use at HealthNewsReview.org to review health news have not been developed in isolation. Rather, these are the criteria we consider essential to enable patients and health care providers to make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment options. Although we discuss many things, history does not exaggerate the results and provides people with the basic details they need to be informed patients.
We are particularly pleased that this story does not perpetuate the misinformation generated around this medication, that is, it could help reduce the transmission of the virus. To date, there is no evidence to show that this is an advantage.
criteria
Does the narrative correctly quantify the benefits of the treatment / test / product / procedure?
Not satisfying
It's a very close. History does a lot of things here. He notes that, in one trial, there was no difference between the benefits of Xofluza and oseltamivir (better known as Tamiflu), a drug for the treatment of influenza. However, it does not really quantify the benefits associated with Xofluza. Instead, the article says it "can relieve some symptoms and shorten the period during which patients feel sick."
We endorse the conservative language used throughout history, but we want to see quantified benefits in cases where information is available. In this case, an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September, Xofluza reduced the "symptom relief time" from an average of 25 to 38 hours compared to placebo (the difference was dependent on the age range of the patient). Ergo, an unsatisfactory note here.
Does the story correctly explain / quantify the disadvantages of the intervention?
Satisfactory
The story tackles this issue head on, which gives it a solid satisfactory rating. It would have been interesting to note that the company selling Xofluza warned that pregnant women and nursing mothers might want to avoid the drug because it is not known if the drug could harm the fetus or if it would be effective. in breast milk for nursing mothers.
Does history use independent sources and identify conflicts of interest?
Not satisfying
The story incorporates information from two sources at the FDA, but the information appears to come from an FDA statement. The information provided by the pharmaceutical companies is clearly indicated, but we are really looking for reports that incorporate information from independent sources – beyond what may be available in a press release.
Overall score: 8 out of 10 Satisfactory
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