The FDA’s thinking is correct, but was their decision? It would make sense to pull a drug that has no apparent benefit and obvious negative side effects. But Genentech has a point when they “argued that Avastin should remain available while it conducts more research to see if certain groups of patients might benefit from the drug.” Historically, the FDA has done more damage by banning or delaying a drug than if they were to release it. The wait for drugs can be just as a deadly or more so than dangerous drugs. It makes sense logically, a dangerous drug can be pulled at any point, but what’s the solution for a lack of a solution? That would be to find one, and in this situation, since Avastin was so many people’s last hope, wouldn’t it make sense to continue to research?

For more info on how delays have killed check out this site, it’s a provocative read with plenty of facts. http://eng.am/uUSSac