In response to the Perspectives pieces published online today by the New England Journal of Medicine, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) commends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its continued analysis of long-term bisphosphonate treatment in order to help patients and healthcare providers determine the appropriate length of time for treatment and urges patients not to stop treatment without first talking with their healthcare provider.
The Foundation strongly supports the importance of regularly monitoring patients on an individual basis to determine their need for continued therapy and asserts that with research showing bisphosphonates reduce the risk of a broken hip in people with osteoporosis by 50 percent or more, and also reduce the risk of other broken bones, bisphosphonate treatment is highly effective in the right patients.
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.