Tag Archives: government

Precision Is Required

Post updated June 28, 2013. See end of post for additional information from FDA. Five ME/CFS advocates recently sent a letter to DHHS, FDA and select members of Congress requesting that FDA convene a second meeting with ME/CFS patients “to … Continue reading

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Requesting an Investigation

You may recall that at the May 23, 2013 CFS Advisory Committee, voting members Eileen Holderman and Dr. Mary Ann Fletcher stated on the record that they had been intimidated for expressing their views. With assistance from two fellow advocates, … Continue reading

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No Facts for YOU!

The NIH funding argument is a broken record: Advocates and researchers say, “We want more funding!” NIH replies, “We need more applications!” And advocates and researchers reply, “Your review panel is made up of dentists!” Back and forth. Back and … Continue reading

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Perplexed

The good news, I guess, is that we survived another CFS Advisory Committee meeting. The bad news is that much of what happened made no sense to me. Some excellent summaries of the meeting are available, including this very detailed … Continue reading

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Drug and FDA News, May 2013

Yesterday, the CFIDS Association formally announced what had been rumored to be on the way: they are preparing to file an Investigational New Drug application. The first step will be a pre-IND meeting with FDA. This kind of meeting is … Continue reading

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Fireworks

I will be posting a summary of what we learned (or didn’t learn) at last week’s CFS Advisory Committee meeting, but one incident requires detailed examination. Towards the end of the second day, conflict erupted between several committee members, allegations … Continue reading

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CFSAC Testimony from Amy Squires

Amy Squires is my dear friend, and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CFIDS Association. She has given me permission to post the comments she made to the CFS Advisory Committee today. My name is Amy … Continue reading

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CFSAC Testimony May 2013

I submitted two versions of testimony to the May 22-23, 2013 CFS Advisory Committee meeting. My written testimony can be viewed here.  What follows is the testimony I delivered by telephone this morning: My name is Jennifer Spotila, and I … Continue reading

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What To Look For

The CFS Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday and Thursday this week (May 22nd and 23rd). The meeting will be webcast, and I’ll update with that information as soon as it becomes available. UPDATED: To call in to the CFSAC … Continue reading

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2012 NIH Spending on CFS Studies

Update: This post was revised on October 29, 2016 to correct mathematical errors and update the included research. NIH spending on ME/CFS research has been controversial since I’ve been in advocacy, largely because the funding numbers are so low compared … Continue reading

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