Patient advocates merit a voice in FDA drug reviews | READER COMMENTARY

I am writing in response to the recent commentary criticizing patient advocacy groups for their involvement in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Relyvrio, a drug for ALS (“Patient advocacy groups should stay out of drug approvals,” May 10). While the commentary raises valid concerns about the FDA’s approval process and the drug’s efficacy, it unfairly blames advocacy groups for advocating on behalf of patients.

These groups, such as the ALS Association and I AM ALS, represent...