[On October 12] the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joined with other leading national patient groups in filing an amicus curiae (or friend-of-the-court) brief urging the Supreme Court to take up the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and defend access to FDA-approved drugs for patients with chronic illnesses like cancer.

The appeals court decision poses a significant risk to cancer patients, as allowing judges to undermine the scientific expertise of the FDA could jeopardize access to FDA-approved medications and treatments.

The following is a statement on behalf of Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN:

“We urge the Supreme Court to hear the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v FDA and protect access to evidence-based care for the patients we serve. One’s ability to safely access treatment depends on the experienced review of experts in science and medicine who are best equipped to assess the safety and efficacy of drugs. Shifting decisions on drug safety to judges and diluting the FDA’s authority in this manner jeopardizes the lives and livelihoods of patients.”

Read the full brief here.

This press release was originally published October 12, 2023, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. It is republished with permission.