A report in The Wall Street Journal in late '08 states that "Investors battered Biogen Idec Inc., and Elan Corp., after two new cases of a "dangerous brain disease were linked to their multiple-sclerosis drug Tysabri..." Nevertheless, some doctors say they will continue to prescribe the drug, evidently because they are ignorant of safer Alternative Medicine approaches to disease:

"David Margolin, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, said that he has been an 'aggressive' prescriber of Tysabri and plans to continue recommending the drug for patients...

'...the other therapies are not without their own risks,' "Dr. Margolin said...

"A spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration said the cases of [the brain disease] PML, were 'not unexpected...'" There were three previous cases of PML before these, the Journal noted.

"Not unexpected?" Yeah! How many cases world-wide in the use of Tysabri caused the deadly PML? And are the five reported by the Journal an accurate total? Well, note the following report in the medical journal Neurologist for November, 2006. It was by Dr. AJ Asamit of the Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn.

"Conclusion: PML, a usually fatal neurologic infection, should be considered as a risk factor when using natalizumab [Tysabri.]" No, FDA, it was not unexpected.

Alterative Medicine, anyone?

Multiple Sclerosis Drug Tysabri Risks Brain Disease Bibliography

Neurologist for November, 2006. It was by Dr. AJ Asamit of the Mayo ClinicCollege of Medicine, Rochester, Minn.