The story also made it clear that these were placebo-controlled trials that used relevant clinical endpoints, thus meeting some of the key requirements for this criterion. On the other hand, the article failed to provide some basic but important details about the design of the two studies that are at the heart of the story. Examples:
We’re on the fence with this one. In general, a story needs to provide some kind of description of the size of a study to be judged satisfactory on this criterion, but the story does provide readers with enough information to meet our main requirement.
The article is up-front about where this information is coming from and the potential conflicts the sources may have. Still, the story relies heavily on comments from company representatives or researchers involved with the study. The only comment from a truly independent observer doesn’t address the research itself and is about the general need for non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes. A close one, but we’ll call it satisfactory.
The story mentions low-dose hormone replacement therapy, which is one option for particularly bothersome hot flashes. It could have also mentioned lifestyle changes such as keeping cool and avoiding dietary triggers, which are useful approaches for some women. The story also notes that almost half the women in the placebo arm of one of the trials reported improvement. It would have been helpful to readers to highlight that fact and put the drug results in context with the fact that women feel better after a few weeks even without any treatment. On balance, the story does enough to fulfill the criterion.
The oblique reference to this drug perhaps being "one step closer to becoming the first approved nonhormonal treatment for menopause-related hot flashes" is likely to leave many readers unsure about whether this drug is not yet available or whether it is just not approved specifically for treatment of hot flashes.
The standard formul gabapentin, which is approved for treatment of seizures and pain, can be prescribed off label for treatment of hot flashes even though it isn’t FDA approved for this use. (In fact, Pfizer has recently been slapped with large fines for promoting unapproved off-label uses of the drug.) However, the slow-release form of the drug discussed here is not available commercially. Although it calls the new drug "experimental," the story doesn’t explicitly address the availability of the immediate-release vs. slow-release forms of the drug. The article should have been clearer that the FDA has not approved this new slow release form, and that it is not available.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
I miss @HealthNewsRevu popping up in my feed. Loved seeing this one today.
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/06/zombie-health-care-news/
#healthcare #journalism #ethics #conflictofinterest
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
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