Trip to Washington DC
Last week, we packed up the gear and headed to Washington for the FDA’s hearings to review the suicidality risks in adults. I’ll have to admit, at first, it was a little intimidating – I mean, this is the real deal – the FDA! So, we show up at the meeting room an hour or so early to get settled in and get the cameras set up – we sign in and were lucky enough to wedge ourselves in between the CNN and ABC News cameras. My heart was pounding – I was about to witness one of the processes that makes our country great. Unfortunately, once the hearings got underway, I was no longer intimidated or in awe. I was just disappointed. I wanted to believe that this type of public debate was going to reveal some kind of truth - or provide answers to some of the issues at hand. It had every opportunity to be a reaffirming moment for me – especially to prove that there is some value and credibility in the way our system works. Sadly, that was not the case. In my opinion, it came off as a show - nothing more than a media event designed to give the FDA a boost in public opinion – which is timely considering that FDA reform is likely just around the corner. It was almost comical watching these public officials posturing for the cameras.
Image filmed by Phil Lawrence.
On the other hand, it was excruciating to watch and listen to the testimonies from the families and relatives who lost loved ones to suicide. It wasn’t excruciating because of the stories – those were brutal and heart wrenching. It was excruciating because of the way the panel of experts and members of the FDA treated them – it was as if they all put up a shield to keep from getting emotional. But why? What’s wrong with getting emotional? I couldn’t understand - why wouldn’t they look at them?
Image filmed by Phil Lawrence.
Why wouldn’t they listen to what these people have to say? It was beyond rude – it was cold-hearted – dismissive. Personally, I had never met these people before, yet as I stood there videotaping them – hearing their stories, I fought back tears. What’s wrong with that? It doesn’t reveal what side of the argument I fall on - its empathy, its caring about others – its being a human being regardless of your political agenda, title or responsibilities.
Image filmed by Darren LaZarre.
Everyone who was brave enough to stand up in front of this panel and pour their hearts out has my utmost respect. I assure you that your stories did not fall on deaf ears – and will never be forgotten or dismissed.
posted by Phil Lawrence @ 4:21 PM
7 Comments:
Thank you!!! Thank you for telling everyone what the FDA treats us all like. It was the FOURTH hearing like this on antidepressants that I have attended over the past decade and a half and it is always the same - a sham, an absolute sham! These people are clearly guarding their future hoped for positions with the drug companies when they leave the FDA. They know what they are doing. They cannot NOT know. All they have to do is read the research that has been out there on antidepressants for half a century. It is more than obvious that the hypothesis behind these drugs is backwards. And you are right about the stories of these tragedies never being forgotten - I made that promise almost two decades ago and I refuse to stop until the whole world knows about these tragedies! I remain assured that if the public comes to understand what is happening, this antidepressant-induced nightmare we live in will finally end!
Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, www.drugawareness.org
Another thank you! This was my second hearing.. and you are SO right. The lack of emotion by the panel is classic "hearing face". But I will never stop talking.We've made some strides in building awareness in the last two years, but there's a LONG way to go. I intend to be there every step of the way.
That is so sad to hear that the FDA acts like that. Why bother? It's like they just go through the motions to look better in the media. *sigh* How awful...
Thanks Phil for the opportunity to experience and shoot the FDA circus. It was ....interesting to say the least. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones!
Have a look at the link below for some information about one of the FDA committee members - Bruce Pollock.
http://www.bioethicsforum.org/Bruce-Pollock-GlaxoSmithKline-ghostwriter-FDA-advisory-committee-conflict-of-interest.asp
www.seroxatsecrets.wordpress.com
Phil, I think there's a reason the FDA committee looked the way they did - have a look at the Bruce Pollock link here:
http://seroxatsecrets.wordpress.com/2007/01/05/corruption-glaxo-fda/
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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