April 2019 Office of Women's Health e-Update
Message from the Acting Associate Commissioner
Over the past several weeks, it has been a pleasure to experience how the Office of Women’s Health team works to promote and advance the health of women through scientific research, outreach and education. Last month, we held our scientific seminar series and hosted Dr. Hadine Joffe, MD, Executive Director of the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Joffe discussed the influences of sex and gender on sleep in midlife women, a topic that is relevant to so many women. Next month, we will host Dr. Saralyn Mark, MD, an endocrinologist, geriatrician, and women's health specialist. Dr Mark will discuss findings and recommendations from NASA’s decadal review of sex and gender-based differences. We look forward to an engaging and informative session.
I also want to inform you of an upcoming continuing education webinar hosted by FDA’s Division of Drug Information targeting health care professionals. OWH staff will be providing an overview of current regulatory practice regarding the consideration of sex differences, the importance of the Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) initiative, and future opportunities to further integrate SABV through collaboration in regulatory, research, and clinical care environments. To register for the online meeting, please visit: https://collaboration.fda.gov/ddi042319/event/registration.html
In closing, this month marks National Minority Health Month. OWH has numerous women’s health materials available in English, Spanish, and other languages. I encourage you to utilize these resources in your outreach to women of diverse backgrounds to help them learn more about making healthy choices and how to safely use medicines. We also continue to collaborate with our colleagues in the FDA’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. Please visit OWH’s website for additional resources to support your outreach to women of diverse backgrounds.
Kaveeta Vasisht, MD, PharmD
Acting Associate Commissioner for Women's Health
Deputy Director
Women's Health Highlights
FDA approves first treatment for post-partum depression
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zulresso (brexanolone) injection for intravenous (IV) use for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adult women. This is the first drug approved by the FDA specifically for PPD.
This approval marks the first time a drug has been specifically approved to treat postpartum depression, providing an important new treatment option," said Tiffany Farchione, M.D., acting director of the Division of Psychiatry Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
FDA approves new treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of breaking a bone (fracture). These are women with a history of osteoporotic fracture or multiple risk factors for fracture, or those who have failed or are intolerant to other osteoporosis therapies.
FDA approves new device for treating moderate to severe chronic heart failure in patients
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Optimizer Smart system for treating patients with chronic, moderate-to-severe heart failure who are not suited for treatment with other heart failure devices such as cardiac resynchronization therapy to restore a normal timing pattern of the heartbeat. The FDA gave the device a Breakthrough Device designation because it treats a life-threatening disease, heart failure, and addresses an unmet medical need in patients who fail to get adequate benefits from standard treatments and have no alternative treatment options.
FDA advances landmark policy changes to modernize mammography services and improve their quality
FDA announced important new steps to modernize breast cancer screening and help empower patients with more information when they are considering important decisions regarding their breast health care.
- Read the FDA News Release.
- Read the FDA’s Consumer Update, “Mammography: What You Need to Know”
- Visit FDA OWH’s Mammography webpage.
Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Smoking Cessation and Medications
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, resulting in more than 480,000 deaths annually. Almost 70 percent of current smokers report wanting to quit smoking, but quitting can be hard and often takes multiple attempts. A variety of FDA-approved medications are available to help people successfully quit smoking. During a January 26, 2018 FDA public hearing focused on FDA’s approach to evaluating nicotine replacement therapies, FDA heard concerns about misperceptions around smoking cessation medications and we want to help separate fact from fiction.
- Read the Consumer Update, “Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Smoking Cessation and Medications.”
- Read the FDAVoice article, “Understanding the Health Impact and Dangers of Smoke and 'Vapor'”.
- Visit FDA OWH’s Smoking – Medicine To Help You Quit webpage.
- Download and order FDA’s Smoking - Medicines To Help You Quit booklet.
Call to Action
April is Minority Health Month!
Look to FDA for resources to support your outreach to women of all diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Download women’s health materials in English, Spanish and 17 other languages.
- Join the Pink Ribbon campaign and educate women in your community about mammograms.
- Watch ¡Nunca Mas! novela series and teach women about safe medication use.
- Use tips and resources from the Hispanic Women’s Health: Tips for Healthy Living webpage.
- Visit FDA’s Minority Health and Health Equity webpage and the FDA en Español webpage
Save The Date! National Women’s Health Week is May 12 – 18, 2019
Join OWH as we spread the word about women’s health and empower women to be healthy throughout their lives.
- Order free copies of easy-to-read publications on a variety of health topics.
- Visit the FDA For Women and Women’s Health Research webpages.
- Connect with us at @FDAWomen on Twitter, Pinterest, and other platforms.
Meetings
Participate in Upcoming FDA Meetings
Webinar: Precision Medicine and Minority Health (sponsored by the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity)
April 23, 2019
Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement
April 25, 2019
Patient Perspectives on the Impact of Rare Diseases: Bridging the Commonalities
April 29, 2019