Genentech Pulls Psoriasis Drug Raptiva

The drug Raptiva, used to treat psoriasis, is being taken off the U.S. market by the manufacturer, Genentech, according to a released statement. The drug company has advised doctors not to issue new prescriptions and to contact patients who currently use the treatment to discuss an appropriate alternative. The drug will no longer be available after June 8, 2009. The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory warning that the drug is linked to a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Three people using the treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis have died. Two of them were confirmed to have the rare and sometimes fatal brain infection.

Related links:

National Psoriasis Foundation

Bloomberg.com

Health Day

Apologetic racist wants to go to heaven

Elwin Wilson tells his story of rampant, senseless, unforgiving racism way back in the 1960s south. Rock Hill, South Carolina to be exact. Wilson declares that he was never afraid of anyone or anything. The one thing that has been able to frighten him is the thought of spending the ever after in hell. In an effort to avoid that horrendous fate, he has been issuing public apologies to some of those he has harassed,threatened, and beaten. Many people have embraced Wilson and accepted his apology. Many people are calling him a "hero." I think not. And the comments left by racists who don't feel that Mr. Wilson's apology is necessary are appalling. Read the story. Have your children read the story and the comments. So many of our younger generation think that racism is a thing of the past. Those comments should certainly dispel that myth. My take on Wilson's story is contained in the poem, No Hero, below. I suppose that in the end, it doesn't matter why he decided to change but that he did. Too bad his change of heart has taken multiple decades to happen and has been a negative influence on countless impressionable minds that continue to harbor hate. Peace and blessings, Mr. Wilson.



No Hero

It defies understanding that you are being called a hero
You have simply collapsed under the weight of your sins from long ago
No one can really question the sincerity of your wish to change your ways
But you freely admit it’s only because of worry about how you’ll spend
your eternal days
Loved to spew the N-word, which actually describes an ignorant person ---
like you
One has only to read about your behavior back then to know it’s true
Unprovoked harassment, threats, and beatings of blacks. Is that all that
you’ve done?
Or should you be arrested and tried for the crimes you’ve admitted to and
murder one?
The ghost of a black man haunting you! Oh the volumes that speaks
Is his soul unable to rest because justice for his senseless death it seeks?
Will you take the truth to your grave? Will we ever really know?
Honestly, it’s the people who endured your vicious, hateful wrath who
should be called “hero”
It’s because of people like you that racism is alive and thriving to this very
day
Still, I wish you well and hope that to heaven you find your way


Sunida E. York © copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved

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