National Center for Health Research

National Center for Health Research The National Center for Health Research NCHR is a voice you can trust, providing health information you can use.

The National Center for Health Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children.

Experts say the FDA removing the long-standing black box warning from menopause hormone drugs "sidestepped its usual pub...
11/12/2025

Experts say the FDA removing the long-standing black box warning from menopause hormone drugs "sidestepped its usual public process."

Instead of an official public FDA Advisory Committee meeting, the FDA Commissioner invited a dozen doctors who already "overwhelmingly supported" the drugs.

NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman said this undermines the FDA's credibility. The decision was announced on TV, “rather than having scientists scrutinize the research at an FDA scientific meeting."

The Commissioner claims the drugs reduce heart disease and Alzheimer's, but other experts say that evidence is "not as conclusive or definitive" as Makary claims. Our analysis says the evidence doesn't support his claims.



AP explains FDA to delete boxed warnings for menopausal hormone therapy. Diana Zuckerman says FDA lost credibility changing warnings without scientific review.

Why did the FDA say let's remove the black box warning on menopause hormones?They skipped the official FDA Advisory Comm...
11/12/2025

Why did the FDA say let's remove the black box warning on menopause hormones?

They skipped the official FDA Advisory Committee and used a handpicked "expert panel" instead.

As NCHR's Dr. Zuckerman said, this panel had major conflicts: "virtually all its members would benefit financially from the black box warning being eliminated."

This new process lacks transparency and is "very one-sided."



Inside Health Policy describes FDA Expert Panels controversy and quotes Diana Zuckerman on why eliminating HRT hormone therapy black box warning is a mistake

HHS just announced it's removing the black box warning from menopause hormone therapy. FDA Commissioner Makary called th...
11/12/2025

HHS just announced it's removing the black box warning from menopause hormone therapy. FDA Commissioner Makary called the treatment "life-changing."

But experts interviewed by Healio News are warning that the benefits are being dangerously exaggerated.

NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman explains that while warnings needed updating, the drugs are "not the fountain of youth" and are "absolutely not proven to prevent dementia." They still have clear risks.

Other experts echoed this, worrying that data was "cherry-picked" and that we "don't have the data to support" claims that it prevents things like heart disease or cognitive decline. One called it a swing back to the "feminine forever" days.



The HHS has announced changes to estrogen hormone therapy black box labeling for menopause treatment in a move that they said corrects misleading warnings.HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a press conference on Monday that women have been “told to fear the very therapy that could hav...

The FDA made several outrageous claims about hormone therapy that need to be corrected early and often. Despite their bi...
11/11/2025

The FDA made several outrageous claims about hormone therapy that need to be corrected early and often.

Despite their biased claims, hormone therapy has serious risks and few benefits other than reducing hot flashes. It definitely can't be relied on to improve your heart health or prevent dementia or cancer.

Here's the problem with the scientific "evidence" that the FDA claims proves the benefits outweigh the risks.

We submitted it to the FDA when they asked for public comments in September, but it seems they did not read it because they had already made up their minds.



NCHR FDA public comment explains hormone therapy for menopause has cancer risks & benefits, very limited health benefits & clear risks. Some hormones are safer.

A rare disease researcher and advocate says that Big Pharma's patient advocacy costs millions, but tends to be more show...
11/11/2025

A rare disease researcher and advocate says that Big Pharma's patient advocacy costs millions, but tends to be more show than substance. He points out they fund "glossy campaigns" that do little to actually help patients.

We would add that they help generate the goodwill of patients and, therefore, help sell products. Patients also lobby the FDA, Congress, and Medicare in favor of these products.

Are patients being used?



When Big Pharma ties its corporate social responsibility initiatives to patients' needs, too often it veers into theater.

We were glad to have the opportunity to explain why the FDA's decision to remove the black box warnings on hormones for ...
11/10/2025

We were glad to have the opportunity to explain why the FDA's decision to remove the black box warnings on hormones for menopause is a mistake.

Despite Commissioner Makary's claim, hormones are not the best way to improve women's health. The science is complicated:
They can cause endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and stroke.
There is no evidence that they prevent dementia.
They help prevent osteoporosis only while being taken. The benefit ends when the hormones stop.
They do reduce hot flashes, but there are other, safer ways to do that.

Makary's message is not consistent with the science, which is likely why the announcement was made on morning TV instead of scrutinizing the research at an FDA scientific meeting.



The benefits of hormone replacement have been underappreciated, Dr. Marty Makary, the agency’s commissioner, said on Monday. Critics described evidence for the change as insufficient.

A New York Times investigation highlights an overlooked danger at indoor gun ranges: the blast waves that may cause brai...
11/10/2025

A New York Times investigation highlights an overlooked danger at indoor gun ranges: the blast waves that may cause brain injuries.

Military-grade sensors found that indoor shooting booths can double or triple blast wave exposure compared to shooting outdoors.

While many smaller fi****ms tested were within safety thresholds, some large-caliber rifles far exceeded them.

Researchers also warn that the real risk may be cumulative. The NYT test found it took only 20 shots from an AR-15 at an indoor range to exceed a proposed new daily safety limit for total blast exposure.



The Times tested the blast waves of several popular civilian guns at an indoor range and found that repeated firing could add up to potentially harmful exposure.

The FDA is recalling more than 140,000 bottles of the cholesterol medication Atorvastatin Calcium (the generic for Lipit...
11/07/2025

The FDA is recalling more than 140,000 bottles of the cholesterol medication Atorvastatin Calcium (the generic for Lipitor).

It was made by Alkem Laboratories and distributed by Ascend Laboratories. The recall is because several batches of the drug failed to dissolve correctly, so they may not work as intended.

The recall is Class II, which the FDA considers a problem that can cause temporary or reversible health problems.



According to the FDA, the drugs are not dissolving correctly. This can impact their ability to lower a patient’s cholesterol as intended.

These eye drops cost $20 over-the-counter in Europe (called EvoTears) for nearly a decade, or by prescription for $800 i...
11/06/2025

These eye drops cost $20 over-the-counter in Europe (called EvoTears) for nearly a decade, or by prescription for $800 in the U.S. Sold for dry eyes, the product is exactly the same.

Instead of seeking U.S. over-the-counter approval, Bausch & Lomb pursued prescription-only status, enabling a 40x price increase. This isn't innovation; it's a business strategy to make more money, exploiting a regulatory loophole.

The company should not be so greedy but the FDA should be required to make sure any drug already sold safely over-the-counter should be considered OTC before restricting it to prescriptions the U.S.



A month’s supply of Miebo requires $800 and a prescription in the U.S. In Europe, it’s over-the-counter and $20.

A new study of U.S. veterans with knee arthritis (OA) found that corticosteroid injections provided no more benefit tha...
11/05/2025

A new study of U.S. veterans with knee arthritis (OA) found that corticosteroid injections provided no more benefit than a placebo shot of lidocaine.

The study of 221 patients concluded trial, researchers found that neither treatment provided a "minimal clinically important difference" in pain or function. Any small benefit from steroids was gone by 12 weeks.

The lead researcher concluded there was "no evidence that corticosteroids are effective in this real-world population," adding to previous evidence that doctors and patients should stop these common injections.



And not even a very effective one

A Guardian investigation reveals major soda and snack-food giants are fighting RFK Jr.’s "Make America Healthy Again" ( ...
11/05/2025

A Guardian investigation reveals major soda and snack-food giants are fighting RFK Jr.’s "Make America Healthy Again" ( ) movement.

The industry's goal is to stop new MAHA rules that would restrict food dyes in schools and soda purchases with SNAP benefits.

Big Soda is using MAGA strategists, donors, and "anti-woke" influencers to fight MAHA priorities.
As one lawmaker noted, the industry seems "more concerned about the money you’re going to lose than... the health of the vulnerable population."



A Guardian investigation finds the US soda and snack-food industries, threatened by RFK Jr’s movement to change Americans’ eating habits, have turned to a group of well-connected strategists, shadowy pollsters and ‘anti-woke’ influencers

The FDA has issued its third alert about lead in cinnamon this year, expanding its recall to 16 brands of ground cinnamo...
11/04/2025

The FDA has issued its third alert about lead in cinnamon this year, expanding its recall to 16 brands of ground cinnamon.

This recall is important! These products were sold at many stores throughout the U.S, including Dollar Tree (carrying the Supreme Tradition brand), and other national brands.

The FDA urges consumers to check their spices immediately, as these products have long shelf lives. Lead exposure can cause severe health problems, such as learning problems in children.

Consumers are encouraged to review the full list of recalled products and check your kitchen cabinets.
Please review the full list of 16 brands and share this information to keep friends and family safe.



The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy the ground cinnamon products because samples of products listed in the table were found to contain elevated levels of lead.

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