Newark Star-Ledger

[Guest guest]

http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/business/ledger/133c392.html

Government investigating Lyme conflicts

Probe focuses on 3 agencies

05/13/01

BY ED SILVERMAN

STAR-LEDGER STAFF

The investigative arm of Congress is expected to complete a report later

this month outlining potential conflicts of interest at government

agencies that shaped the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.

The General Accounting Office probe -- centering on the National

Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and

the Food and Drug Administration -- reflects growing concern that basic

research conducted by government and academic institutions is

increasingly influenced by a cash-rich pharmaceutical industry.

" We're looking at federal activities and procedures, " said Marcia

Crosse, the GAO's assistant director for public health. " As part of

that, we're examining financial conflicts of interest among agency

employees and advisers. "

Significantly, the probe will be the first to address criticism that

federal agencies failed to devote sufficient resources to manage the

disease, which infects 16,000 people each year. Whether Congress will

follow it up with legislation remains to be seen.

Among the issues reviewed by the GAO have been CDC and NIH research

spending, the types of grants issued and reviewed by the NIH, and

whether federal officials had ties to doctors at state levels, according

to congressional sources.

The investigation also explored potential conflicts involving FDA staff

and advisory committee members, who in 1998 approved a controversial

vaccine that since has been linked to severe arthritic side effects and

spawned dozens of lawsuits, according to a GAO source.

The disclosure that the GAO is examining potential conflicts among FDA

advisers is spawning anger among a growing number of people. Some argue

the vaccine, which is called Lymerix, shouldn't have been approved and

now merits a recall.

" If there were conflicts, this unfortunately may account for why this

vaccine got approved in the first place, " said Sheller, a

Philadelphia attorney who has filed lawsuits on behalf of more than 200

people against GlaxoKline Plc, which markets Lymerix.

Potential conflicts were noted previously among some FDA advisory

committee members. According to the transcript of a May 26, 1998,

committee meeting to review the vaccine, one member, Daum of the

University of Chicago, was granted a waiver for a perceived conflict

In an e-mail note in response to questions from The Star-Ledger, Daum

wrote that the potential conflict involved research for a Glaxo rival.

However, he added he has not been contacted by the GAO and has not had

any ties to the company.

Two researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, who

were consultants to the FDA committee and among several experts given

voting rights, had consulting ties to the drug maker, according to the

transcript. Dattwyler did not respond to phone calls and e-mails

requesting comment. Coyle denied any conflict.

" A few years earlier, I'd spent two hours reviewing an animal study for

the company. The FDA was aware of this, " Coyle said. " There wasn't

anybody on the committee favorable to the vaccine, but there was good

data. And you had to go with the data. But there's no way anybody could

say my consultation was a conflict. I think the GAO is going down a dead

end. "

Glaxo, the British drug maker, maintains Lymerix is safe. But at an FDA

meeting four months ago, several members of the latest advisory

committee scolded the agency for not pushing Glaxo to move faster to

conduct follow-up studies on Lymerix side-effect issues.

Another avenue being investigated involves patents sought for diagnosing

Lyme disease. One example involved a 1992 patent application filed

jointly by the CDC and Kline, which Glaxo recently purchased.

Two years after the filing, the CDC issued a public health notice

recommending doctors rely on two of the same diagnostic markers listed

in the patent, but never disclosed the agency stood to gain if the

patent eventually was licensed and royalties were paid.

Ultimately, the patent was never licensed. It's not clear if the patent

containing diagnostic markers will be cited by the GAO in its report,

but a GAO source indicated the agency has reviewed it as potential

conflict.

The patent, which resulted from a cooperative research agreement between

the CDC and Kline, listed several diagnostic markers, or bands,

that doctors might use to identify the rashes characterizing Lyme

disease. In 1993, an international application was filed.

During that period, scientists were trying to better understand Lyme

disease in the hopes of finding a workable treatment. Toward that end, a

conference was held in Dearborn, Mich., in October 1994 to identify

diagnostic markers to be used by the medical community.

As it turned out, Barbara , a CDC employee who also was listed as

an inventor on the patent, was a member of the conference planning

committee. She also was involved in setting the agenda for the meeting,

according a conference organizer.

That committee " came up with the agenda and points of issues to be

addressed, " said Blank, a physician who was a member of the

Association of State and Territorial Public Health Laboratory Directors,

the conference sponsor. " And several of them were in work groups or led

the work groups. "

However, 's involvement wasn't disclosed by the CDC in its August

1995 public health notice to physicians. The notice, which included the

pair of diagnostic markers, was made in the CDC's Morbidity and

Mortality Weekly Report, a widely read and influential compendium of

health alerts and recommendations.

Reached at her CDC office in Fort , Colo., declined to

comment.

In a telephone interview, Watkins, who heads the CDC's Technology

Transfer Office, said the two diagnostic markers mentioned in the

original patent and the 1995 MMWR notice aren't necessarily the same,

due to the quirks of scientific analysis. " I don't think you can say

they are, " he said. " They may or may not be. "

However, sources in the scientific community who are familiar with the

patent, but who asked not to be identified, maintained the markers are

similar.

In any event, Watkins argued the MMWR recommendation wasn't influenced

by the patent and CDC ethics rules didn't require the agency to disclose

any potential gain that could have been derived from licensing. He also

said CDC employees are permitted to benefit from patents in which they

are listed as inventors.

He also noted that in early 1995, several months before the MMWR was

issued, Pfizer Inc. bought the Kline unit that filed the patent

application. And shortly afterward, he indicated, the patent was

abandoned, suggesting a potential conflict of interest may not have

existed by the time the MMWR was issued later that year.

Nonetheless, patent filings continued to be made in other countries

throughout 1995 as an " economic defense " against other companies that

might have wanted the scientific data, according to one scientist, who

is familiar with the patent and events surrounding its filings.

One medical ethicist suggested the CDC should have disclosed the

potential for profit when the MMWR was issued. " The interesting thing

is, they didn't disclose the patent applications, when those would be

worth money if they're licensed, " said Jon Merz, an assistant professor

of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania.

" Did it really influence the MMWR recommendation? I don't know. It's a

formality for the institution and the individual. But it's important to

know people on such a panel shouldn't have patent interests. It would've

been useful to have a disclaimer. The agency should have been aware of

those issues. "

Ed Silverman covers the drug industry. He can be reached at

esilverman@... or (973) 392-1542.

[Guest guest]

While I am excited about news like this breaking, it reminds me once again

that the focus here is not the " cure " but rather sideline issues. This is

all about politics and money, not about human suffering. I guess I just have

to look at the seeds of hope that if planted will grow into further

development in research.

Irene

[Guest guest]

While I am excited about news like this breaking, it reminds me once again

that the focus here is not the " cure " but rather sideline issues. This is

all about politics and money, not about human suffering. I guess I just have

to look at the seeds of hope that if planted will grow into further

development in research.

Irene

[Guest guest]

ellenlu@w... wrote:

>

http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/business/ledger/133c392.h

tml

> Government investigating Lyme conflicts

Halleluja! I hope this thing just gets opened wide, bigger and

deeper. Only problem is, congressional investigations mean more

opportunistic leeches moving in.

Especially now that I'm regaining my healthy and my head, I'm

reading and investigating all I can. It difficult when there's

just so much lies and confusion. And misguided organizations like

LDF still sending out brochures with " sponsored by Kline " on

them.

In complaining about the inappropriate gala fund-raising tactics of

Time for Lyme in Fairfield County, Connecticut I realized straight up

that we're dealing with opportunists and big money/big

business/government colluders.

Truth truth truth,

[Guest guest]

Irene and all,

My sentiments exactly, I find it hard to be too enthused about this

latest development, as I read the article, I kept hoping I would find a

reference to treatment or new research but I was very disappointed that the

bottom line is money and greed, no mention of patients at all other than

diagnostic testing.

Another disappointment, the cancellation of the Nightline story about

Lyme disease doctors and their persecution expected this evening. Knowing

it is being bumped for the likes of McVeigh's possible new trial is

a bitter pill to swallow.

Marta

----- Original Message -----

From: <renier1@...>

> While I am excited about news like this breaking, it reminds me once again

> that the focus here is not the " cure " but rather sideline issues. This is

> all about politics and money, not about human suffering. I guess I just

have

> to look at the seeds of hope that if planted will grow into further

> development in research.

> Irene

[Guest guest]

Dear All;

This article is actually addressing the crux of our problem, and is

in no way a sideline issue. You may not be aware of it on a day to

day basis, but the GAO investigation seek the improprieties that have

caused our current dilemma.

I don't know if you realize the full magnitude of this particular

article. The reason you don't open the news and hear about patients

suffering is directly because of the conflicts of interest and

subsequent alliances that have blocked the truth for all these years.

If you want to hear about Chronic Lyme, you must first go to the

source of what has been preventing the dissemination of information.

If these conflicts are exposed and pursued, then those who have been

the advocates for Lyme disinformation are discredited. Once they

are, you then have an entry point for the truth.

This article is addressing one of the largest and most powerful

allies of the disinformation camp. If their conflict are made public

and recognized, they will no longer be considered the unmitigated

experts.

With that done, Lyme disease, finally, has the chance to be

recognized by the medical community for what it is.

The greed has been going on for over a decade; this is the FIRST TIME

it has been this clearly exposed in the media, where lines have been

drawn.

This investigation has taken a long time and much effort by those who

worked hard in our community.

I understand anyone wanting more, and being angry, but I thought you

should know just what this means.

If we can keep this type of pressure up, you will see the kind of

articles you want to.

As for the treatment or research, if we cannot halt the camp of

misinformation, Lyme disease will never be recognized for what it is.

If it is not recognized as more than a simple illness curable with

just a few weeks of antibiotic in most cases, why would anyone spend

money on it?

As I said in the beginning of this letter, I think you may not fully

understand just what this means. I believe if you did, you may find

it more exciting.

As one of many who is out here spending most of my time trying to

stop the machine that keeps Lyme disease an unknown entity, I can

tell you this is VERY exciting, and if you need to know more of all

that is involved, I would be willing to take the time and share what

I know with you, if you email me personally.

This particular effort is not mine; but I support it wholly, and I

can tell you what kind of sacrifice it took by those who worked so

hard to get it this far.

And as far as politician go, you may be surprised to hear that they

may be the very instrument that is pivotal in the change we have

sought for so long. This action has been occuring for many months,

and thus far has culminated into action on the part of legislators on

our behalf.

There may not be one simple easy website for a full understanding,

but we're talking about at least a 10 year history, and thousands of

hours of work by sick individuals who put out information so that as

one prudently looks, they may find it.

This action may be seen as a huge dent to the " big boys " who have

controlled our health via liaisons and their powerful supporters, the

insurance companies.

I would highly recommend that everyone take some time to look up this

history which many have provided, so that you may share it the

success of it. I would also encourage everyone to use their energy

to support some action, so that we may finally be rid of

misinformation.

Sincerely,

Regina

neurochem1@...

> Irene and all,

> My sentiments exactly, I find it hard to be too enthused about

this

> latest development, as I read the article, I kept hoping I would

find a

> reference to treatment or new research but I was very disappointed

that the

> bottom line is money and greed, no mention of patients at all other

than

> diagnostic testing.

> Another disappointment, the cancellation of the Nightline story

about

> Lyme disease doctors and their persecution expected this evening.

Knowing

> it is being bumped for the likes of McVeigh's possible new

trial is

> a bitter pill to swallow.

> Marta

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: <renier1@a...>

>

> > While I am excited about news like this breaking, it reminds me

once again

> > that the focus here is not the " cure " but rather sideline

issues. This is

> > all about politics and money, not about human suffering. I guess

I just

> have

> > to look at the seeds of hope that if planted will grow into

further

> > development in research.

> > Irene

[Guest guest]

Regina, Wow! That was well written, alot of us needed to hear that,

thanks! btw, are you on a sugar-high? *-)

[Guest guest]

Regina, where can I get the articles? Francine

[Guest guest]

> Regina, Wow! That was well written, alot of us needed to hear

that,

> thanks! btw, are you on a sugar-high? *-)

LOL

Actually, the rush ended yesterday, and I'm hoping to get my " fix " so

I can get things done.

(I got my Pepi's candy over the weekend; an excellent product that is

on par with any fine chocolate.)

I know it's very difficult; many are in different states, and just

may not be aware of what has been happening. Lobby day was very

successful (3/27), and the success of that day is snowballing in our

favor presently.

If any of you saw OPTIMISTICKS post calling for an action, anyone in

every state can do this. She provided a prewritten letter to send to

your media (local or national) along with this article.

We need to keep Lyme disease and it's TRUTH out in public. We can

all do something; not everyone can do all the political actions, but

most everyone can blitz your media with these 2 letters.

There are many things each of us can do, since there is so much to be

done. Most importantly, getting the truth of Lyme out to the media,

so that the public can be informed.

There is also the Dr.'s Legal Defense Funds. The 2 doc.s (JB AND RH)

are strategic targets by the other camp.

Both are leaders for Lyme disease, treatment for persistent

infection, and coinfections. Their loss would be a tremendous blow

to our entire community; not just the patients they see, but to YOU.

Write letters, create ways of raising funds (bake sales, garage

sales, tag sales), and educate yourself to the background of this

situation. These can be done by most of us with no money and without

endless effort.

All good actions don't always get noticed, but their energy has a

life of it's own. You can count on that, so if you tired of this

crap, sick of explaining yourself to those you know, over it, done

with it, and just through with all of this....GOOD!!!! So am I.

Take that energy and DO just one thing if that's what you can manage;

believe me, it will do you justice. Not only will you feel empowered

and not just like a victem of the " forces " that be, you will also be

doing something that helps to end this for good.

If it's in your path, it's part of your path. I don't know why this

happened to you or me; I don't know why some of us are gone; I can't

make assumptions about just what God and the Universe has in store,

but I am clearly here, and since this is where I am, I may as well do

what I can. Otherwise, it's just been my choice to waste my time.

When you are too sick to do anything; then rest. If it's hard to do

something, do something manageable. If you get overwhelmed doing it;

stop for a moment, scream, then don't think about why you have to do

this, and just get it done. You will feel it. You will know what I

am talking about. And as an added bonus, you will assist in helping

to change what must be changed.

Sincerely,

Regina

neurochem1@...

[Guest guest]

> Regina, where can I get the articles?

Francine

>

Hi Francine;

The first was the news article that came out; I suggest printing out

the one directly from the link, since it's more authentic. The

second is the letter that Jeannine Prewrote to make it easier to

contact the media. You can cut and paste them to edit them.

Hope this helps;

Sincerely,

Regina

Date: Sun May 13, 2001 8:28 pm

Subject: Newark Star-Ledger

http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/business/ledger/133c392.h

tml

Government investigating Lyme conflicts

Probe focuses on 3 agencies

05/13/01

BY ED SILVERMAN

STAR-LEDGER STAFF

The investigative arm of Congress is expected to complete a report

later this month outlining potential conflicts of interest at

government agencies that shaped the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme

disease.

The General Accounting Office probe -- centering on the National

Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

and the Food and Drug Administration -- reflects growing concern that

basic research conducted by government and academic institutions is

increasingly influenced by a cash-rich pharmaceutical industry.

" We're looking at federal activities and procedures, " said Marcia

Crosse, the GAO's assistant director for public health. " As part of

that, we're examining financial conflicts of interest among agency

employees and advisers. "

Significantly, the probe will be the first to address criticism that

federal agencies failed to devote sufficient resources to manage the

disease, which infects 16,000 people each year. Whether Congress will

follow it up with legislation remains to be seen.

Among the issues reviewed by the GAO have been CDC and NIH research

spending, the types of grants issued and reviewed by the NIH, and

whether federal officials had ties to doctors at state levels,

according to congressional sources.

The investigation also explored potential conflicts involving FDA

staff and advisory committee members, who in 1998 approved a

controversial vaccine that since has been linked to severe arthritic

side effects and spawned dozens of lawsuits, according to a GAO

source.

The disclosure that the GAO is examining potential conflicts among FDA

advisers is spawning anger among a growing number of people. Some

argue the vaccine, which is called Lymerix, shouldn't have been

approved and now merits a recall.

" If there were conflicts, this unfortunately may account for why this

vaccine got approved in the first place, " said Sheller, a

Philadelphia attorney who has filed lawsuits on behalf of more than

200 people against GlaxoKline Plc, which markets Lymerix.

Potential conflicts were noted previously among some FDA advisory

committee members. According to the transcript of a May 26, 1998,

committee meeting to review the vaccine, one member, Daum of

the University of Chicago, was granted a waiver for a perceived

conflict.

In an e-mail note in response to questions from The Star-Ledger, Daum

wrote that the potential conflict involved research for a Glaxo rival.

However, he added he has not been contacted by the GAO and has not had

any ties to the company.

Two researchers at the State University of New York at Stony Brook,

who were consultants to the FDA committee and among several experts

given voting rights, had consulting ties to the drug maker, according

to the transcript. Dattwyler did not respond to phone calls

and e-mails requesting comment. Coyle denied any conflict.

" A few years earlier, I'd spent two hours reviewing an animal study

for the company. The FDA was aware of this, " Coyle said. " There wasn't

anybody on the committee favorable to the vaccine, but there was good

data. And you had to go with the data. But there's no way anybody

could say my consultation was a conflict. I think the GAO is going

down a dead end. "

Glaxo, the British drug maker, maintains Lymerix is safe. But at an

FDA meeting four months ago, several members of the latest advisory

committee scolded the agency for not pushing Glaxo to move faster to

conduct follow-up studies on Lymerix side-effect issues.

Another avenue being investigated involves patents sought for

diagnosing Lyme disease. One example involved a 1992 patent

application filed jointly by the CDC and Kline, which Glaxo

recently purchased.

Two years after the filing, the CDC issued a public health notice

recommending doctors rely on two of the same diagnostic markers listed

in the patent, but never disclosed the agency stood to gain if the

patent eventually was licensed and royalties were paid.

Ultimately, the patent was never licensed. It's not clear if the

patent containing diagnostic markers will be cited by the GAO in its

report,but a GAO source indicated the agency has reviewed it as

potential conflict.

The patent, which resulted from a cooperative research agreement

between the CDC and Kline, listed several diagnostic markers, or

bands,that doctors might use to identify the rashes characterizing

Lyme disease. In 1993, an international application was filed.

During that period, scientists were trying to better understand Lyme

disease in the hopes of finding a workable treatment. Toward that

end, a conference was held in Dearborn, Mich., in October 1994 to

identify diagnostic markers to be used by the medical community.

As it turned out, Barbara , a CDC employee who also was listed

as an inventor on the patent, was a member of the conference planning

committee. She also was involved in setting the agenda for the

meeting,according a conference organizer.

That committee " came up with the agenda and points of issues to be

addressed, " said Blank, a physician who was a member of the

Association of State and Territorial Public Health Laboratory

Directors, the conference sponsor. " And several of them were in work

groups or led the work groups. "

However, 's involvement wasn't disclosed by the CDC in its

August 1995 public health notice to physicians. The notice, which

included the pair of diagnostic markers, was made in the CDC's

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a widely read and influential

compendium ofhealth alerts and recommendations.

Reached at her CDC office in Fort , Colo., declined to

comment.

In a telephone interview, Watkins, who heads the CDC's

Technology Transfer Office, said the two diagnostic markers mentioned

in the original patent and the 1995 MMWR notice aren't necessarily

the same,due to the quirks of scientific analysis. " I don't think you

can say they are, " he said. " They may or may not be. "

However, sources in the scientific community who are familiar with the

patent, but who asked not to be identified, maintained the markers are

similar.

In any event, Watkins argued the MMWR recommendation wasn't influenced

by the patent and CDC ethics rules didn't require the agency to

disclose any potential gain that could have been derived from

licensing. He also said CDC employees are permitted to benefit from

patents in which they are listed as inventors.

He also noted that in early 1995, several months before the MMWR was

issued, Pfizer Inc. bought the Kline unit that filed the patent

application. And shortly afterward, he indicated, the patent was

abandoned, suggesting a potential conflict of interest may not have

existed by the time the MMWR was issued later that year.

Nonetheless, patent filings continued to be made in other countries

throughout 1995 as an " economic defense " against other companies that

might have wanted the scientific data, according to one scientist, who

is familiar with the patent and events surrounding its filings.

One medical ethicist suggested the CDC should have disclosed the

potential for profit when the MMWR was issued. " The interesting thing

is, they didn't disclose the patent applications, when those would be

worth money if they're licensed, " said Jon Merz, an assistant

professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania.

" Did it really influence the MMWR recommendation? I don't know. It's a

formality for the institution and the individual. But it's important

to know people on such a panel shouldn't have patent interests. It

would've been useful to have a disclaimer. The agency should have

been aware of those issues. "

Ed Silverman covers the drug industry. He can be reached at

esilverman@s... or (973) 392-1542.

-----------------------------------------------------

there will be the two NBC follow-ups on May 26 and May 27 - a 2-day

piece on Lyme disease. It will be aired on NBC Weekend Today, which

airs Saturday from 7-9AM EST and Sunday from 9-10 AM EST, on May 26

and 27. It is in 2 parts and will be a follow up to the original

piece they did a few months ago.

These could be used in a letter to your newspaper urging coverage.

The letter could be something like this, but with the printed text of

the newspaper article on GAO:

Dear Mr./Mrs. _______________

I would like to call your attention to important and fast-breaking

news which affects the thousands of Lyme Disease sufferers/victims

throughout the USA. As a reporter I thought you would want to be the

first in our area to report significant Lyme Disease news now

occurring since it does affect those in our area.

1) I am enclosing an article by Ed Silverman, who has broken the

story of the GAO Investigation into the questionable politics and

conflicts of certain Lyme Disease researchers, government agencies

and other entities. This is of special significance to people in our

area.

The politics of Lyme disease have prevented thousands of people who

suffer from this disease from getting the treatment they desperately

need, resulting in death for some, and have misdirected millions of

dollars in US government research money away from finding significant

treatment and a cure for this disease.

Additionally these politics have resulted in approval of the LymeRix

vaccine, despite adverse findings which were known at the time. This

vaccine has permanently sickened and crippled significant numbers of

people to the extent that an FDA inquiry into this vaccine was

launched in late January 2001. This is also referenced in the

Silverman Article and in others earlier this year.

I am asking that you carry news of this GAO investigation in your

newspaper and urge you at this time in May, which is Lyme Disease

Awareness month as designated by 3 presidents, to carry the important

stories of significance to the Lyme disease community.

More information on the GAO investigation can be obtained from key

individuals in the Star Ledger news article who are listed

in contact information at the close of this letter.

2) On Monday May 21, a special program on Lyme Disease controversies,

is tentatively scheduled to be broadcast on Channel ____ on

Nightline. I would urge you to watch it and notice patient difficulty

in obtaining treatment that this story highlights, as well as the

injustice of continuing persecution of doctors

who treat Lyme disease. Please report on the details of this program.

3) A little later in the month, May 26 and May 27 there will be a 2-

day piece on Lyme disease. It will be aired on NBC Weekend

Today, which airs Saturday from 7-9AM EST and Sunday from 9-10 AM

EST, on May 26 and 27. It is in 2 parts and will be a follow up to

the original piece they did a few months ago.

This will be seen all over the country. I urge you to watch this

program and report on it.

I know that you want the readers in our area to have the best and

latest news on Lyme disease and the events of significance

which are occurring now and hope that you will cover these stories.

I would be glad to give you my personal perspective on Lyme disease

issues and how they affect me and those close to me.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or for more

information on the personal aspects of Lyme disease.

Sincerely,

______________________(your name and address, Followed by Contact

Information for yourself and hours to reach you)

News Contacts For the Press from Internet:

GAO Assistant Director of Public Health inquiring

into Lyme Disease Conflicts,

Marcia Crosse, Washington DC Telephone (202) 512-3407

GAO Public Affairs office at

Office of Public Affairs

441 G St., NW, Room 7149

Washington, DC 20548

Tel. (202) 512-4800

A Sheller - Sheller Ludwig & Badey

Attorney for 200+ LymeRix victims

Phone: 215-546-5510 or 215-790-7300

1528 Walnut St, Fl. 3

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Dattwyler, Researcher at State University of New York at

Stony Brook, and consultant to the FDA LymeRix committee

SUNY Telephone: (631) 444-3808

E-mail: .Dattwyler@...

Coyle, Researcher at State University of New York at Stony

Brook, and consultant to the FDA LymeRix committee

Neurology Department, Stonybrook SUNY

(main number) (631) 444-2599

E-mail .Coyle@...

Webpage:

http://galactica.informatics.sunysb.edu/neurology/original/faculty/pco

yle.html

Lyme Disease Association (national organization): (888)366-6611

Lyme Disease Foundation (national organization) : (860)525-2000

[Guest guest]

Hi Regina,

You're right, you made lots of good points, I guess I was just having a

bad day and I tend to be on the negative side when I am down like that. I

hope and pray that something comes of the article and the investigations. I

just feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster at times, coping as we

must, in this damned Lyme world.

Hugs,

Marta

----- Original Message -----

From: <Neurochem1@...>

> Dear All;

>

> This article is actually addressing the crux of our problem, and is

> in no way a sideline issue. You may not be aware of it on a day to

> day basis, but the GAO investigation seek the improprieties that have

> caused our current dilemma.

> I don't know if you realize the full magnitude of this particular

> article. The reason you don't open the news and hear about patients

> suffering is directly because of the conflicts of interest and

> subsequent alliances that have blocked the truth for all these years.

[Guest guest]

Dear Marta,

Please know I understand and do not judge you; boy can I understand

bad days; having a whopper myself today. They happen.

I send you wishes for good health and peace

Sincerely,

Regina

neurochem1@...

> Hi Regina,

> You're right, you made lots of good points, I guess I was just

having a

> bad day and I tend to be on the negative side when I am down like

that. I

> hope and pray that something comes of the article and the

investigations. I

> just feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster at times, coping

as we

> must, in this damned Lyme world.

> Hugs,

> Marta

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: <Neurochem1@a...>

>

> > Dear All;

> >

> > This article is actually addressing the crux of our problem, and

is

> > in no way a sideline issue. You may not be aware of it on a day

to

> > day basis, but the GAO investigation seek the improprieties that

have

> > caused our current dilemma.

> > I don't know if you realize the full magnitude of this particular

> > article. The reason you don't open the news and hear about

patients

> > suffering is directly because of the conflicts of interest and

> > subsequent alliances that have blocked the truth for all these

years.