SILVER SPRING, Md., June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Breast cancer
patients and their families will rally together on Tuesday, June
28, at 7:00 am outside of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
At issue will be the FDA’s final hearing to remove the
anti-cancer drug Avastin from the approved medication list for
treatment of late stage breast cancer, despite the FDA approving it
in 2008 for use to treat breast cancer.
Terry Kalley, founder of the Freedom of Access to Medicines
(FAMEDS), will lead the protest and then testify at the morning
FDA hearing on behalf of his wife. Following the FDA hearing,
the group will make its way to Capitol Hill for congressional
meetings, and wrap up the day with a media availability at 1:30 pm
in 2103 Rayburn House Office Building.
“It is devastating enough to know that death will come early for
these women from an incurable disease, but it is outrageous and
unbelievably callous of FDA bureaucrats to compound this anguish,”
Kalley said. “All we are asking for is for the federal
government to stay out of our medical lives and allow my wife to
continue taking this drug that is prolonging her life and the lives
of many others.”
At the June 28 hearing, the FDA will likely reverse its previous
decision to allow Avastin to be used by breast cancer patients.
The FDA will likely cite dangerous side effects, but as
Kalley pointed out, “For many breast cancer patients, including my
wife, the most dangerous risk is the unavailability of
Avastin.”
Kalley warned that when government begins to pick winners and
losers, a slippery slope towards rationing medications can happen.
“Today, it’s Avastin for metastatic breast cancer, tomorrow it
could be the drug that your loved one needs to stay alive,” he
said.
He concluded with a call to action, saying “Attend our rally on
the 28th, sign our online petition, and write your federal
representatives and senat
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