Obesity treatments, life-saving antibiotics and other drugs deemed to offer societal benefit despite their risks may get speedier U.S. approvals under plans being discussed to better balance innovation and safety. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg told scientific advisers the agency is considering letting makers of such treatments conduct faster clinical trials with a smaller group of patients than now required. A “special medical use” label could be used, allowing doctors to administer the drugs to patients in most dire need, she said.
