Arthritis Foundation to Host Meeting for Osteoarthritis Patients to Share their Stories with the FDA

Last year, the Arthritis Foundation cosponsored theAccelerating Osteoarthritis (OA) Clinical Trials Workshopwith the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The focus of the workshop aimed at identifying ways to get new diagnostics & treatments to clinics faster for the arthritis community. Important key takeaways from the workshop included a focus on patients – how they need to be more involved in the scientific discovery process and that scientists should consider their needs and wants in designing clinical trials.

We knew we had to take action – today, an estimated 30.8 million Americans have OA¹and the number is growing. Current pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and surgical management of OA may alleviate symptoms temporarily, but the symptoms and disease progression do not stop^2-3. We submitted a letter of intent to the FDA to host a meeting with OA patients that focuses on them. The FDA approved our request and will attend our meeting – a huge win for the arthritis community.

The OA Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting is on March 8, 2017 at 1pm at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA. This meeting will give the FDA an important opportunity to hear directly from patients, patient advocates, and caretakers about what matter most to them; the impact of OA on patients’ daily lives, and patients’ experiences with currently available treatments⁴. The patient perspective is critical in helping the FDA ensure that drug development programs capture the efficacy and safety aspects that are important to the patients. This will provide a better perspective for regulatory decisions regarding new drugs to prevent, treat, and cure OA⁴.

We are asking YOU to join us at this landmark event – every OA patient in the country canjoin us virtuallythrough our live web cast. Listen to the patient panels talk directly to the FDA about the signs and symptoms that matter most, participate in our live poll and watch as the results are discussed in this meeting. This is a very unique opportunity to be a part of the shift in OA drug development. We are fighting hard for you, every day. Take part of what is sure to be a memorable experience andregister today.

References:

1. Cisternas MG, Murphy L, Sacks JJ, et al. Alternative Methods for Defining Osteoarthritis and the Impact on Estimating Prevalence in a U.S. Population-Based Survey. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Aug 28. doi: 10.1002/acr.22721. PubMed PMID: 26315529.
2. Richmond S. Fukuchi R, Ezzat A, Schneider K, Schneider G, Emery CA. Are joint injury, sport activity, physical activity, & obesity predictors for osteoarthritis? A systematic review. J Ortho Sport Phys Ther. 2013;43:515-24.
3. Matthews GL, Hunter DJ. Emerging drugs for osteoarthritis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2011;16(3):479-91.
4. Niskar A, Yim S, Kraus V, Tuan R. OA drug development needs patient-focused approach to biomarkers and outcome measures. Rheumatology News. 2016 Dec 13.