Theodore Cohen

FDA Turns Over Dendreon Documents - Here They Are

Here’s yet another example where the FDA initially either lied or was totally inept…or both.

The evidence finally released shows that von E received Scher’s letter via e-mail and direct through the U.S. mail.

Interestingly, the last letter in the latest transmission from HHS via FOIA is an e-mail from Dr. Scher to Dr. von Eschenbach that includes an e-mail from Dr. Steven Rosenberg (was the communication from Dr. Rosenberg invited by Dr. Scher?) dated April 27, 2007, supporting Dr. Scher. Dr. Rosenberg is in NCI (as are other at least two other government employees already identified as being involved in the development of the infamous "Scher letter" that was leaked to The Cancer Letter). Dr. Rosenberg, in particular, has devoted his life’s work to cancer vaccines, and it’s possible that the approval of Provenge would have pushed his work into the background.

Regardless, it’s interesting that as late as the end of April 2007, a special government employee (Dr. Scher) still was lobbying the FDA commissioner to turn down the approval of Provenge. Dr. Scher could not have mounted such a campaign as a special government employee without the advice, assistance, and support of a regular government employee…it’s just unheard of, and in any event, totaly unexpected for a special government employee who has sat on an advisory committee.

Who is behind the campaign to sink Provenge? Only time will reveal the true identity of the Wizard of Oz...the person behind the curtain, pulling the strings.

Meanwhile, this whole scandal smells worse with every passing day.

The time is long past for a full investigation into Dr. Scher’s (as well as Dr. Hussain’s) activities during and following the Provenge advisory committee meeting.