Enbrel Support

[Guest guest]

Dear Nameless,

I must call you nameless because like everything else

attached to this Enbrel shortage their is no name

attached. Nobody to talk to and nobody to accept

responsibility for this inexcusable situation.

As a group those of us who suffer with PA have no

voice. We have no Fox, Reeves or

the equivalence as a spokesperson so we receive little

publicity. To deny people who are in chronic pain a

medication that could change their life for the

reasons provided so far is inexcusable. Yet their is

silence, no outcry or questioning from the media or

talk shows.

You watch the news and see the attention Enron and

Arthur receives. Congress holds these huge

hearings over companies involved in questionable

business practice. Yet we wait in silence, no voice

to question, demand answers or cry out and proclaim

our suffering.

If Enbrel was a cancer drug or a vaccine the

government would hold hearings and demand answers.

What we get from Immunex are vague answers and

excuses:

1. A new plant will open soon (when is soon, and where

is this production facility)

2. This is a complicated drug to manufacture. (I'm

sure it is, however, since nobody will share with us

the steps it takes to manufacture this drug we must

assume they believe we are unable to follow the

process or they just do not believe they are

accountable for giving an answer that makes sense.)

I'm not asking for trade secrets, just an outline to

explain why we are where we are with this shortage

Not even the sharks of society (lawyers) have gotten

involved in this issue. My apologies in advance to any

lawyers reading this e-mail. The use of the word shark

is just a figure of speech.

I'm so frustrated by the lack of responsibility and

accountability Immunex has shown that I do not know

where to start. I can only imagine how those people

who live in places where Enbrel is not even offered

must feel.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I can only leave my PA family with 2 suggestions that

might help those of us who are waiting for Enbrel.

1. Call your House of Representative in your district

and or your state Senator and tell them how you feel,

or write a letter.

2. Contact your TV stations hot-lines and or

newspapers and tell them about this story. I would be

glad to talk to them if you are not comfortable doing

this part. They can e-mail me.

For those of you on Enbrel and are getting relief (my

wife is part of this group) I am very happy for you,

no need to feel guilty about feeling better. However,

I must ask you to join us in demanding accountability

from Immunex. For those of you who are using a

different drug protocol I must ask you also to help

our voice sound a little louder and join in doing

something to call attention to this situation. Orin

and Ron you guys are good with finding information now

use those same skills and get this situation noticed.

The number to call if you have questions about ENBELS

enrollment program is 888-436-2735. You may call

between the hours of 9:00am to 9:00 pm eastern time.

However, do not expect any satisfaction. They

document who is calling and make you feel that if you

make any waves you might slide further down on the

list. I know, I just called before I started this

paragraph.

Thanks for listening.

=====

In Peace,

P. Lake Ph.D.

__________________________________________________

[Moderators note(Ron): There is also a list of Immunex corporate contacts at:

http://www.immunex.com/company/co02.html

These include the Corporate Address for:

Immunex Corporation

51 University Street

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 587-0430

(206) 587-0606 FAX

Customer Service

(800) IMMUNEX (800-466-8639)

Investor Relations

(206) 587-0430

Media Relations

(206) 587-0430

Robin Shapiro, Director, Public Affairs

206-389-4040