WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Breast cancer patients, their families and advocates expressed extreme disappointment at today's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to remove the anti-cancer drug Avastin from the approved medication list for treatment of late stage breast cancer.

Terry Kalley, founder of the Freedom of Access to Medicines (FAMEDS), condemned the decision, saying, "While this vote is highly disappointing, it wasn't unexpected, given the FDA's continued, closed-minded opposition to the continued use of Avastin for treatment of metastatic breast cancer."

Kalley, whose wife has late stage breast cancer and has been immensely helped by Avastin, criticized the FDA Commissioner for lacking the resolve to override her career staff. "The Commissioner lacked the courage to make a decision for the benefit of American women. Instead she caved in to the internal pressure within the FDA. It is impossible to see how the health care of Americans is improved by limiting their choices."

Kalley pointed out that women in Japan and the European Union will have access to the life-saving drug, while American women will be denied this drug, invented in the U.S.  "Is this the new America where the critically ill are denied care and coverage to pay for the other excesses of government?"

"The wealthy will find ways to obtain Avastin, while the rest will be rationed according to their health insurance coverage," Kalley continued. "As a consequence of this decision, women will die because this option has been denied patients and their physicians."

Kalley concluded by appealing to Congress to address the "multiple deficiencies with the FDA."

For more information on FAMEDS and the stories of breast cancer Avastin patients, go to www.fameds.org.

SOURCE Freedom of Access to Medicines

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