The Provenge Bus Ad In DC Is Rolling
7 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // November 5th, 2007 // 7:26 am
Last week, we wrote that an ad campaign was going to be launched this week by a group that is angry and frustrated over the FDA’s refusal to reverse its decision and approve Dendreon’s controversial Provenge prostate-cancer vaccine. The group, a non-profit called CareToLive, hopes that the ads on Washington, DC-area buses will serve as reminders to FDA officials, who ignored a rally two months ago, and also alert members of Congress and the general public will be alerted to the issue. And so here is the ad for the ‘Get on the Bus’ campaign. (Click on the ad to make it larger).
The gambit is the latest among a series of actions - including a lawsuit against FDA officials and YouTube videos - to generate a groundswell of sympathy and outrage in hopes of forcing the FDA to change its collective mind. Conveniently, the buses with the ads are based out of the Northern Metropolitan Area Transity Authority bus garage located at 4615 14th Street NW, Washington, DC and the Montgomery County MATA bus garage located at Nicholson Lane, which is just east of Rockville Pike in Rockville, MD, where the FDA offices are headquartered.
For those who don’t recall, an FDA advisory panel earlier this year recommended approval, but before the agency acted, two docs on the panel took the unusual step of writing the agency and urging a go-slow approach. Since then, the docs reportedly received threats amid accusations of undisclosed financial conflicts of interest and charges that an FDA official prompted them to write the letter as part of a behind-the-scenes power play. You can read about all this in the lawsuit.
In announcing the campaign, the non-profit says the FDA decision “may results in thousands of men dying each month” and is forcing them to get “their estates in order.” This is the group’s statement.
DNDN_watchdog
Hey Ed,
I’m getting tired of your constant reference to the “threats” against Scher and Hussain.
You mention these alledged “threats” in every one of your posts about DNDN activists.
Well, where’s the PROOF that these “threats” ever occurred, and if they did, how serious were they??
You are accepting as GOSPEL the claims but you have never seen the PROOF that these claims are legit.
Many, many folks think that these claims of “threats” are bogus attempts to generate sympathy and make Scher/Hussain look like they’re the “victims” rather than the TENS of THOUSANDS of PCa patients who were denied ProVenge because of their extra-ordinary effort to keep PV off the market.
How about PROVING that those claims of “threats” are REAL??
Good luck!!
Ed Silverman
Dear DNDN Watchdog,
Sorry that you’re tired of reading that. A couple of things - I’ve added the word ‘reportedly,’ although I was also told that by a Sloan-Kettering spokeswoman earlier this year. And if I can verify anything further, of course, I will report that, too.
Cheers
ed at Pharmalot
small.farmer
Maybe the Sloan-Kettering spokeswoman is not telling the truth !
DNDN_watchdog
Thanks, Ed!!
Of course, Scher WORKS for Sloan-Kettering so it’s no surprise they’d back him.
But PROOF is needed.
Anybody can claim that they were “threatened.”
And were these true threats of bodily harm??
Were any police reports filed??
If not, why not??
If so, why haven’t we seen them?
BTW..aren’t you kinda surprised at the very FEW professionals who have come forward to publicly defend the actions of Scher/Hussain??
Maybe they are as appalled as everyone else at the slimy and extra-ordinary efforts that Scher/Hussain made after the FDA AC meeeting to block PV approval.
The vote was 17-0 for SAFETY and
14-3 for SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE of EFFICACY.
CareToLive is a FANTASTIC organization that is a TRUE advocate for PCa victims and will ultimately uncover the nefarious scandal surrounding the FDA decision to block PV approval, even when they could have granted CONDITIONAL approval.
ProVenge PROLONGS life!!
Provenge_Survivor
Ed,
Thanks for reporting on the “Get On The Bus” Ad campaign. Hopefully, you are the first of a long line of media outlets that will pick up the story.
Your continued reporting on the sordid Provenge story is very much appreciated.
Tony F
Ed, I, too, add my kudos for further publicizing the CareToLive’s advocacy for TERMINAL prostate cancer victims and their quest for immediate access to Provenge. Thanks!
Glad you told me you have a “thick skin” recently; I also add my voice to the criticism of your continuing mention the “alleged” threats against Scher and Hussain.
This topic is more than easily resolved….
1. Show a dis-interested 3rd party the threat or threats to validate Scher & Hussain’s claims and to validate Sloan Kettering’s acknowledgment of such claims.
(Remember, per Sloan Kettering’s website, Scher is not only a researcher and a physician working at S-K, he is also an “executive” and, I believe, sits on S-K’s Board of Directors… he’s not just some kind of an employee!)
2. Show a police agency’s report made by Scher and Hussain.
Seems to me, because of the substantial claims by both sides that this is a topic all in itself–to prove or disprove the “alleged” threats.
There is a lot of passion on both sides of this question. You’re in the metro NYC area… Why don’t you check with the New York City Police to see if such a report has been made and report your findings–either way?
Additonally, there is NO DOUBT that there are THOUSANDS of men with prostate cancer who died every month… at the rate of 83 men per day, that totals approximately 2,490 men each and every MONTH.
It’s past time to do something about this tragedy!
… and, again, Thanks for continuing to tell the Provenge story!
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