American Cancer Society Expert Testifies on Importance of Patient Involvement in Drug Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 11, 2014 Patients must be the focus of innovation and they must also be active partners in all aspects of research, development and regulation of new therapies, testified Leonard Lichtenfeld, M.D., deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health today. The hearing on the 21st Century Cures initiative, a bipartisan effort to accelerate the pace of cures in America, focused on the importance of incorporating patient perspective into the drug development and regulation process. Cancer patients have the most at stake in the quest to find new treatments, and have important insight to offer, Lichtenfeld said. If researchers, pharmaceutical companies and the FDA engage widely and meaningfully with patients, the result will be better treatments delivered to patients faster. Lichtenfeld said the FDA should be encouraged to work with industry and researchers to incorporate self-reported symptom measurements as a regular part of clinical trials, as patients can provide first-hand knowledge of quality of life measures like pain, nausea, fatigue, depression, or ability to carry out normal daily activities. He added that Congress should look for opportunities for greater funding to support the FDA Patient Representative Program, as well as broader continued engagement with the patient community. All patients, and specifically cancer patients, can provide a unique perspective on the benefits and risks of particular therapies being considered for FDA approval, Lichtenfeld said. This kind of patient involvement should be reinforced and supported. There are nearly 14 million cancer survivors in the United States, thanks to more effective treatments and improved screening tools made possible through research. As the largest funder of basic research in the country, the federal government plays a critical role in fostering continued progress by committing to sustained investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the FDA. Research opens the door, and provides a pathway to patients, for new FDA-approved medications, therapies and devices that greatly impact patient quality of life.  Lichtenfield is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the American Cancer Society. Dr. Lichtenfeld is a board certified medical oncologist and internist who was a practicing physician for nearly 20 years. ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Alissa Crispino or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5772 or (202) 661-5771 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #21stCenturyCures #cancer #FDA #DrLen #acscan