Week in Review: Planning Ahead for Patients

Now that 2015 is underway, it’s time to put our guiding principles into action. Our goal is to build on successes from 2014 to help patients live long, healthy lives. This week we started to put those plans into motion. We hope you’ll take an active interest in what we’re working on this year and share your thoughts with us.

In our first Conversations forum of 2015, we asked experts how to best tackle the growing problem of obesity in America before it takes an even greater toll on society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults and more than 12 million children and adolescents are considered obese. So it is no surprise that obesity and weight management continue to top the list of biggest personal health concerns for Americans. Read what the experts had to say here and provide your insights in the comment section and on Twitter using the #HealthPOV hashtag.

Another hashtag you can expect to see more of this year is #MedsinDev. As noted in our Medicines in Development reports, the research and development (R&D) of new treatments can be an arduous process, averaging 10-15 years and $2.6 billion. But the end product can mean life-changing health outcomes for patients and their loved ones. In just the past year, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved 41 new medicines — 41 percent of which were first in class treatments that fight some of the most debilitating diseases, such as hepatitis C, in completely new ways. In 2015, we will be highlighting our R&D investment and why it is critical to discovering the cures of tomorrow. Check back in with The Catalyst for more information on the value of innovative new medicines  and keep an eye out for new reports on what’s in the pipeline for patients.

Our planning continues to focus on patients and meeting their needs. As we discuss health care topics this year, we welcome your feedback so we can make sure we’re highlighting information that’s important to you. We’re looking forward to a productive and informative 2015.