National Report Shines Light on Lupus 50-Year Treatment Drought
On Monday, October 5, The Lewin Group, a national health care consulting firm, issued recommendations on ways to overcome the barriers that have obstructed lupus drug development resulting in no new drug approval for this disease in more than 50 years -- since the Eisenhower Administration. The recommendations are included in the report Overcoming Barriers to Drug Development in Lupus, which is the outcome of a 9-month study commissioned by the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA).
The recommendations highlight the need for a national collaborative and coordinated effort among key stakeholders, including the FDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers and scientists from academia, the LFA, and industry, to implement a range of initiatives that would create a path forward to develop a robust arsenal of safe, effective, and more tolerable treatments for this difficult to treat and devastating disease.
The report provides recommendations for each of the key stakeholders, which include expanding federal support for medical research on lupus, assessing the existing standard of care used in clinical trials, examining the interpretation of regulations pertaining to clinical trial design and related standards of evidence used to evaluate investigational drugs for lupus, expediting the discovery and validation of lupus biomarkers, and more.
Read the entire press release >>
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Next Webchat: Work Disability / SSDI / Health Insurance
Do you know what steps to take?
Join us for the "Work Disability / SSDI / Health Insurance" chat with guest expert Ms. Sheri Abrams on Wednesday, October 14, at 3 p.m. Eastern. This is your opportunity to ask questions and learn from a legal expert.
Learn more about the "Work Disability / SSDI / Health Insurance" webchat.
Submit a question in advance.
Read previous chat transcripts.
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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Advisory for People with Lupus Has Been Updated
The LFA is consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as our National Medical-Scientific Advisory Council, on the possible impact of this virus on people with lupus. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is aware of the concern that people with lupus may have about the recent outbreak of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.
Get the latest update on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines.
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Store Spotlight: "Coping with Lupus" by Dr. Robert H. Phillips
Written in a warm, engaging style, Coping with Lupus is a guide that will help you cope with the challenges of life with lupus.
Dr. Robert H. Phillips, a highly experienced psychologist and founder of The Center for Coping in Long Island, NY, wrote Coping with Lupus. The book offers useful information and practical coping strategies for dealing with the psychological aspects of chronic health problems, with chapters on coping with emotions, coping with others, and living with a spouse or child who has lupus. Dr. Phillips also discusses medical aspects of lupus: what lupus is and how it is diagnosed, medications used in treating and controlling symptoms, non-medication pain control, the importance of exercise and movement, and diet and nutrition.
Buy the book.
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Designate the LFA (#10566) Through the Combined Federal Campaign
Federal and postal employees and military personnel can donate to the LFA through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Our CFC agency code is #10566. If you wish to donate to your local LFA chapter, check your CFC guidebook for the correct local codes.
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Instead of candy for your trick or treatersthink about, give out purple LFA wristbands on Halloween. http://shop.lupus.org/store/product.aspx?c=lfa_products(base)&p=136823(base)
Excerpts from: Lupus Foundation of America-Newsletter
