NPR

FDA Approves Drugs Faster Than Ever But Relies On Weaker Evidence, Researchers Find

Changes in the way the Food and Drug Administration reviews new medicines means that there are more cures and treatments on the market. But there's also less proof the drugs are safe and effective.
The Food And Drug Administration reviews new drugs for approval much faster than it used to, but changes in the agency's standards have drawn questions.

The Food and Drug Administration has gotten faster at approving new prescription drugs over the past four decades, but the evidence it relies on in making those decisions is getting weaker, according to new research published Tuesday.

As a result, there are more cures and treatments on the market but less proof that they are safe and effective.

"There has been a lawyer with . As a result, patients and physicians "should not expect that new drugs will be dramatically better than older ones."

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