I too will match any contribution to the charity of their choice up to 500$ for any person(s) able to provide verifiable evidence to Ed Silverman of Pharmalot that such complaints were filed by one or both parties with any local, state, or federal agency.

This is a system so rigged that a corporate researcher like Scher gets more sympathy, for complete BS, than the 30,000+ prostate cancer victims who have died since Pazdur and his authoritarian regime rejected Provenge.

pb

Thanks for your note. A couple of quick things. In my view, the word ‘alleged’ serves the same purpose. And I’ve addressed the overall issue previously, including in earlier comments listed above. Apart from that, I’ve tracked this story because it speaks to a couple of cotentious issues - the way the FDA handles the conflict-of-interest topic and the clamor for experimental medications.

Thanks for writing in,
ed

Scher/Hussain make a “claim” that there were death threats, a claim that when they are asked to verify they have kept siloent about by ignoring the question with an air of disregard and superior indifference. That so speaks to the reason one might reduce the term “alledged” to “an unsubstantiated claim” within the media at large. As for you Ed, people know that you are on the same page as the rest of us, however, you could, I guess, take the lead and lead by example.

Three people sent flowers to the FDA, not two… I know, I was the third. I also received a call from the flower shop G Men and Women. It strikes me as odd that a true “death threat” would not receive even more attention than some roses and daisy’s.

Thanks, Ed, for your in depth coverage of Provenge and of the wide spread corruption of the corporate/government partnerships.

2. If yes, to which one? If no, why not?

In addition, in our short discourse on this topic, I suggested you make an inquiry with the NYC and the Tenafly, NJ (Scher’s residence) as to whether or not Scher made a police report–and, tell them the “why” of your inquiry… Scher is alleging such threats publicly in the media.

Clearly, if the NYC and Tenafly, NJ cops have no report, I think you’d find reader criticism dropping if you amended your writing to “alleged threats” and add your findings to Scher’s allegations… “which cannot be substantiated by the XXXX police departments.”

As noted all the time in the media, it is a VERY simple matter to trace ISP/email info… not rocket science at all. All that’s needed is the email and a look at the header info.

I also believe you’ll find a lot less criticism about your use of the terminology of “alleged threats” if you will instead say that they are “unsubstantiated alleged threats” or “alleged, but unsubstantiated, threats” to clarify that they have been made, but not proven.

As a bonus for the readers of your blog, let me also remind folks that Scher certified to the FDA that he had 3 Conflict of Interests. Net research suggests he has these 17 (SEVENTEEN):

Please particularly note #1 and #17 and, Scher, how do YOU explain the difference between your FDA certification of 3 COI and the following 17?????

1. NOVACEA: grants & research support; STUDY CHAIR of DN-101; Direct competitor to Provenge

2. GPB BIOTECH: financial conflict of interest per Scher in MedPage

3. PHARMION: financial conflict of interest per Scher in MedPage

4. SANOFI-AVENTIS: grants & research support

5. BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB: consultant, grants & research

6. MILLENNIUM PHARMCEUTICALS: grant of research support

7. COUGAR BIOTECHNOLOGY: principal investigator; advisory board;

8. INNOVIVE PHARMACEUTICALS: principal investigator

9. INFINITY PHARMACEUTICALS: principal investigator

10. BIOGEN-IDEC: jointly held stock with spouse

11. PFIZER: jointly held stock with spouse

12. GENTA: scientific advisory board (as of March 6, 2007; since removed from web, but cached)

13. CONFOMA THERAPEUTICS: scientific advisory board

14. DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE: Principal Investigator PC Clinical Trials-P1 and P2

15. AMBRILIA BIOPHARMA INC: Principal Investigator PCK3145, Phase I/II

16. MEDIVATION, INC: principal investigator MDV3100

17. PROQUEST INVESTMENTS: consultant, scientific advisory board; Limited Partner FINANCIAL interest

Lastly, Ed, the above complaint has been submitted to the HHS Office of Investigative Services and to the FDA Investigative department without response from them that they are conducting an investigation of these allegations against a “Temporary Government Employee” as Scher was when he sat in judgment of Provenge a year ago.

However, as we know know, 2 investigators reacted within 1 business day to go to a DC florist’s and ask for the names and other personal identification of two individuals who sent floral arrangements to Dr. von E., FDA Commissioner, on the 1 year anniversary of the FDA AC meeting.

How can the FDA react so timely to 2 floral arrangements sent while they continue to stonewall and fail to acknowledge receipt of complaints against Scher?

Something’s really wrong with this situation especially when 83 men die daily from prostate cancer… “allegedly”, many can have their lives extended with the safe treatment when given early enough.

Oh, and Thank You! for your continued following of this story in an honest and fair way.

At the same time I don’t think we have to allege that Seeks the Truth is a wacko since he has provided the evidence himself.

I’ve been repeating this over and over this past year - I’ve asked Hussain and SKMCC to verify the claims of threats, but they haven’t done so. I can’t make them do so.

As to police reports, it’s a big country. If there were police reports filed, they could be anywhere - where a threat originated or was received. I continue to mention the alleged threats because they insist threats were made. I’ve not been offered proof, so I use the word alleged. And while I understand this infuriates some people, its part of the story.

As to the use of the word claims in connection with the undisclosed conflicts of interest cited by Care To Live, ‘claim’ is generally used to describe accusations or charges contained in a lawsuit.

I understand your frustration, but I’m not the judge and jury. I’m a journalist. And I’ve got a blog to run, a 15-hour-a-day gig that requires I pay attention to several topics simultaneously on a regular basis. I’m doing the best I can, but I’m being asked to prove a negative and, unfortunately, I’m unable to do so.

I hope this helps,
ed

I suspect that Kerry Donahue and other vocal CTL advocates
will soon be “threatened” as well. The chemo-cartel for PCa treatment will not stand idly by while their strangle hold on therapy for advanced PCa is loosened by immunotherapy.