PML in European drug Fumerate

[stillstANNding]

The New England Journal of Medicine reports 2 cases of PML in the European psoriasis drug that is the main ingredient in Tecfidera (BG-12).

Read here: Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

And here at Medline: Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Note: links no longer work as they were "breaking news." Now they are "News" or "Business News." I hate that business news. In any event, just google the thread title to find many more.
ANN

[agate]

Let's see, this is the stuff that didn't work well on sofas and so they thought they'd try it on people. You never know when you might come up with a winner, I guess.

Except that now it looks as if dimethyl fumarate has its drawbacks in people.

I'm sorry but I have to wonder if Biogen Idec has the best interests of people with MS at heart. It's looking more and more as if first this and then that is being thrown our way on the offchance that something might help. (Hey, you never know.)

[Frog42]

I'm sorry but I have to wonder if Biogen Idec has the best interests of people with MS at heart.

I've never even entertained that idea. I honestly believe their only interest is profit.

[Virginia]

Oh my!! How could we ever think that Biogen does not have only our "best health interest at heart"? I am sure no one would think they are interested in our
pocketbooks.

[agate]

I was being more than a little sarcastic.

I am sure no one would think they are interested in our
pocketbooks.

Or, better yet, in our insurance companies' pocketbooks. They're the people with the deep pockets. Would these costly MS drugs even exist if it weren't for the insurance companies standing by?

Or maybe they'd exist--but at a much lower cost.... Hmm.

[stillstANNding]

Many people were counting on this drug and may have even "needed" it. We have among us people that can no longer use needles because of dexterity or no site left for injections. It is sad news.

That's not to say that Biogen doesn't want your money.
ANN

[agate]

It is very sad indeed. Guess we can hope that the other oral medicines that are coming along will be a better solution.

[agate]

stillstANNding, your links are working for me. There's another story on Bloomberg.com:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[Gabriella7]

PML

You know the friend that I have mentioned who has been on T for the longest time and has tested positive for JC virus has also been told by her neuro that he wants to take her off T and start her on Fumerate. If it also can cause PML why would he recommend it to her since she also has the JC virus?

I wonder how much stock in Biogen, Idec the neuro has bought? Shouldn't that be considered "a conflict of interest"? I think it would be in any other profession. Does anyone know the answer to that question?

Every time I go to the MS Center I see the drug rep from Biogen.....a very cozy arrangement......and an opportunity for insider knowledge ....."you got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them" as the Kenny Rogers song goes....

Blessings,
Gabriella

[agate]

Gabriella, maybe your friend's doctor is rethinking that advice at this point. Or no?

I wonder how much stock in Biogen, Idec the neuro has bought? Shouldn't that be considered "a conflict of interest"? I think it would be in any other profession. Does anyone know the answer to that question?

I don't know but it's a good question.