Tag Archives: DHHS

Highest Priority, Part Two

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

When I posted the other day about the CFS Advisory Committee’s list of High Priority Recommendations (pdf link), I said that I had done some digging and that what I found wasn’t pretty. To be blunt, what I found is … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Highest Priority, Part One

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Over the years, the CFS Advisory Committee has made dozens and dozens of recommendations to the Secretary for Health and Human Services. This month, the Committee posted a document entitled “High Priority Recommendations from CFSAC, January 2012” (pdf link) which … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Speeding Things Up

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

In my previous post, I explained the definitions FDA used to determine that CFS is a serious or life-threatening condition. But the true significance of FDA’s decision is that it makes CFS treatments eligible for programs that speed up the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Serious Or Life-Threatening

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

During the stakeholder teleconference with FDA on September 13, 2012, Dr. Sandra Kweder said that FDA considers ME/CFS to be a serious or life-threatening condition. In the world of FDA regulations, this is a very important designation. Here’s the full … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

FDA Webinar on Advocacy

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

Yesterday, the FDA hosted a webinar for the ME/CFS community on “Working Together for Change.” Their stated goal was to show what has been successful for patient groups in the past in working with FDA and other entities. The slides … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

CFSAC Testimony of Dr. Joan Grobstein

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

Dr. Joan Grobstein delivered these comments to the CFS Advisory Committee at its October 3-4, 2012 meeting. She has kindly given me permission to publish them here. Hello.  I’m Dr. Joan Grobstein.  I’m a physician. My topic is responsibility. Recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mary Dimmock’s Comments to the FDA

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

Mary Dimmock presented a shortened version of these comments at the FDA meeting today on the Patient Focused Drug Development initiative. She has kindly given me permission to post her comments in full here. My name is Mary Dimmock and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This. Is. Why.

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I’m on the verge of tearing my hair out, and I suspect I’m not the only one. The American Academy of Family Physicians published a review article about CFS (paywall) on Monday, accompanied by a patient information sheet. From the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Another CFSAC Done Gone

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

The CFS Advisory Committee held its second meeting of the year on October 3-4, 2012. Last time, I organized my summary around the good, the bad, and the WTF moments. This time, I am organizing around the discussion themes. Overall, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Metrics

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I delivered the following testimony via telephone to the CFS Advisory Committee on October 3, 2012. I would like to note something that Dr. Nancy Lee said today: “Nothing about me without me.” That’s what we’re asking for. FDA is … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments