http://www.wndu.com/news/032006/news_48379.php

Tysabri produced some miracles that have caused people to passionately fight to get the drug back on the market

Posted: 03/03/2006 11:48 pm
Last Updated: 03/05/2006 06:50 pm

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Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter
Kimberly Torres

South Bend, IN - Some call Tysabri a wonder drug to fight off Multiple Sclerosis.

The Food and Drug Administration says it's not safe.

Now a South Bend resident is on her way to Washington D.C. to defend the drug on Capitol Hill.

Tysabri was introduced in 2004, and it showed so much promise that the FDA prematurely approved it only to find it would produce lethal side effects.

On the flip side, Tysabri also produced some miracles and that's why people are fighting to get it back on the market.

Heather Smith lives life at a relatively slow pace.

Diagnosed in 1998 with Multiple Sclerosis, she quickly became disabled.

The disease often makes her choose between herself and her 2-year-old son.

“I was at a point that I had a to pick, okay I’m I going to take a shower or should I hang out and play with Ezra this morning,” said Smith.

Heather became desperate for life, desperate for a cure.

Eventually she tried the drug Tysabri and noticed a miracle after only two doses.

Heather went from wheelchairs and a walker to standing on her own with a cane.

“After being on this drug, my energy went back up and I was able to say "gosh I can take a shower and play with Ezra today if I wanted to.
So to have a moment that I was actually improving was priceless,” Heather said.

Her world quickly came apart again, the food and drug administration pulled Tysabri from the market.

Ken Fagerman of the St. Joseph Medical Center stated, “Approximately after a year introduced there were cases of PML which is a brain disease and there were a couple deaths it's now back under clinical trials which means it's under controllable trials, it can be used while we study it more.”

Tysabri was introduced in 2004, and it showed so much promise that the FDA prematurely approved it only to find it would produce lethal side effects

Until it's cleared, patients like Heather can't get their hands on their wonder drug, a drug that gave them hope of a new life.

“In the past year since I haven't been on Tysabri and still been taken the drugs that are available, my disease has progressed I would choose a fewer number of years of higher quality than a lifetime of poor quality life I want to be as healthy as I can for my son, he deserves that,” said Smith.

Heather Smith is on her way to get her miracle back.

She left Friday night for Washington D.C. where the FDA is holding a hearing concerning Tysabri and whether it's safe or not.

Heather joins those around the country, which are trying to get it back on the market.

For a drug that showed a 66% reduction in relapses for Multiple Sclerosis; you can understand why they fight.