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Health Care: Prescription Drugs: Drug Effectiveness & Cost

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Spending on prescription drugs in America has increased faster than any other category of health care expenditure, and Americans pay more for their prescription drugs than anyone else in the world. Consumers Union favors the use of safe and effective generic alternatives to brand name drugs whenever possible; access to information relating to comparative effectiveness of drugs; and importation of FDA-approved and cheaper prescription drugs from other countries to the U.S.

Prescription Drugs: Drug Effectiveness & Cost

Drug ads should include 1-800 number
TV drug ads should tell how to report side effects
Sign petition to FDA: Give us a voice on drug ads
High cholesterol? New study looks at Vytorin
Over-the-counter cholesterol drug opposed
Avandia warning - consider other diabetes drugs
Victory! Pro-consumer reforms in drug safety bill
Kids' health bill, pro-consumer measures pass
Finish drug safety bill to get FDA moving on reforms
Older, cheaper diabetes drugs more effective, safe
Human face on weak prescription safety laws
Victory! Senate passes drug-safety bill on to House
Poll: Consumers want host of drug safety reforms
Medicare drug negotiation bill supports savings
Groups support the intent of the Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007
Database mining 'band-aid' for drug-safety reform
CU applauds effort to make drugs safer
Sleep pill ad targets kids; FDA takes months to act
Widow tells Senate drug safety reforms needed
Drugmakers Fail to Begin 71% of Promised Studies
Congress should end drug company deals that keep inexpensive generics off market
CU thanks CMS for making Prescription Drug Plan performance information available to consumers
CU ask Congress to encourage constituents to switch to Best Buy drugs
'Gotta go right now?' Overactive bladder drugs only modestly effective
Americans may be relying too heavily on sleeping pills
Introduction of the "Swift Approval, Fair Evaluation (SAFE) Drug Act"
CU to Senate: Guide FDA to promptly establish pathway for approval of safe biogenerics
Save money on cholesterol drugs with new generic statins
FDA Appropriations, FY 2007
CU urges FDA to accept Black Box Warning recommendations of Committee
12 common drug types have rare but serious side effects
CU urges Congress to consider legislation for possible pandemic for first line responders
Hormones not needed by most women for menopausal symptoms
FDA Vote Rejecting Studies of Antidepressants Underscores Need for Legislation Requiring Drug Studies
CU urges Senator to consider pro-consumer changes to "Biodefense & Pandemic Vaccine & Drug Development Act of 2005"
Groups launch Prop. 79 campaign in CA for cheaper prescription drugs
Drug advertising plan a placebo; real reform needed to ensure safety
CU outlines major drug safety reforms for FDA advisory board
Bextra removal underscores need for FDA reform
Voluntary drug trial registry won't ensure prescription drug safety
Back Senators’ Call to Fill Agency Slot; Investigate Concerns About Drug Safety
Web site chooses generic ibuprofen & generic salsalate as Best Buy Drugs
Funds OK'd to study effectiveness of prescription drugs, treatments
Testimony of David J. Graham, MD, MPH (Nov. 18, 2004)
Vioxx: major changes needed to improve prescription drug safety
Consumers now empowered to make prescription drugs safe, affordable
California Groups Decry High Prescription Drug Costs