Jerry Avorn

Sara Leila Sherman, a musician and educator, discusses how music impacts our brains and enhances emotional awareness. She explains how intentional music choices can boost focus and productivity. Dr. Jerry Avorn, a Harvard medical professor, provides insights into the drug approval process, critiquing its complexities and the FDA's role in medication safety. He highlights the need for accountability and a better understanding of drug risks. Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of music and medicine, revealing their profound effects on our daily lives.

In this insightful discussion, Jerry Avorn, a Harvard physician-researcher and author of 'Rethinking Medications,' uncovers the flaws in the FDA's drug approval processes, particularly the Accelerated Approval Program. He highlights how many medications are rushed to market without proven benefits, including ineffective cold and cancer treatments. Avorn critiques the reliance on surrogate measures for effectiveness, using the controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm as a key example. He also emphasizes the need for transparency in drug pricing and informed patient choices.

Dr. Jerry Avorn, a Harvard Medical School professor and author of 'Rethinking Medications', sheds light on the profit-driven compromises affecting prescription drugs. He discusses the evolution of FDA regulations and the troubling approval processes, like that of the Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm. Avorn emphasizes the tension between drug safety and escalating prices, critiquing the current system while advocating for reforms. He also addresses urgent issues like the fentanyl crisis and the unregulated supplement market, calling for better support for those struggling with substance abuse.