New Law Could Make Accelerated Approval Stricter, If FDA Enforces It

  • Jan 26, 2023

    The FDA’s accelerated approval pathway will see major changes following December’s passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (2023 CAA), the latest version of the annual legislation that funds the federal government. Experts say that the changes should force drugmakers to be more diligent about proving the clinical value of their early-stage pharmaceuticals — as long as the FDA uses its enforcement powers. 

    Stakeholders across the health care system have criticized the FDA’s approach to accelerated approval in recent years. The agency’s critics say that it has taken a lax approach, granting accelerated approval to drugs of dubious clinical value, which ultimately costs the health care system billions. In particular, the FDA’s move to grant accelerated approval to Biogen Inc.’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm (aducanumab) faced criticism from researchers, medical practitioners, health systems and insurers. In addition, a recent congressional report documented ethical lapses by agency employees during the accelerated approval process for Aduhelm, and the HHS Office of Inspector General is currently investigating the agency’s decision.  

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  • Peter Johnson

    Peter has worked as a journalist since 2011 and has covered health care since 2020. At AIS Health, Peter covers trends in finance, business and policy that affect the health insurance and pharma sectors. For Health Plan Weekly, he covers all aspects of the U.S. health insurance sector, including employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid managed care, Medicare Advantage and the Affordable Care Act individual marketplaces. In Radar on Drug Benefits, Peter covers the operations of (and conflicts between) pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, with a particular focus on pricing dynamics and market access. Before joining AIS Health, Peter covered transportation, public safety and local government for various outlets in Seattle, his hometown and current place of residence. He graduated with a B.A. from Colby College.

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