Press Release: July 21, 2004
Patricia Weathers, President 845-677-8115
Sheila
Matthews, National Vice President 203-966-8419
Victims
of Antidepressants Respond to Federal Corruption in Ongoing Investigation.
Drug Companies’ Influence Suspends Hearing.
A
hearing scheduled for yesterday, July 20, 2004, by the House Energy &
Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, headed by Congressman
Greenwood of PA, was abruptly shut down just hours before it was to convene.
This hearing, requested by victims, was scheduled to address both the
withholding of clinical trial data from the public by drug companies, and the
role of the FDA in the antidepressant investigation.
Representatives from 7 pharmaceutical companies, their trade
association, as well as, representatives from the American Medical
Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and one top FDA official,
were all scheduled to testify before the Subcommittee.
Ablechild learned from the Associated Press that the hearing was
suspended due to Congressman Greenwood’s announcement that he was seeking
career opportunity from the pharmaceutical industry.
This clearly raises ethical concerns.
Ablechild
received a flood of calls from families outraged over the government’s
depraved indifference to human rights, its lack of responsibility, and its
blatant disregard for the public safety.
Ablechild has put in an emergency request to the Senate to reopen these
hearings to the public immediately, due to this Subcommittee’s inability to
act in the best interest of the public.
Parents contacting Ablechild know
that the Subcommittee is unduly influenced and request that immediate action
should be taken to uphold the integrity of this investigation.
On
behalf of parents nationwide, Ablechild contacted Senator Santorum, from PA,
specifically requesting that he take steps to reopen these hearings to ensure
that the health and well being of our children is not, in any way,
compromised. Ablechild points to
the death of little Shaina Dunkle, from Pennsylvania, who at the age of 10,
died from the direct result of antidepressants.
Mrs. Vicky Dunkle, has repeatedly appealed to both Congressman
Greenwood and Senator Santorum, asking for accountability in the death of her
daughter. We have appealed to Pennsylvania,
reminding them that Shaina Dunkle’s death should not be disregarded by the
power plays of special interest groups influencing politicians and
investigative hearings.
The
government has the responsibility to protect public safety.
Ablechild eagerly awaits Senator Santorum’s response.