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be better than specific legislation on one product at a time because
it puts Congress in a position of starting to vote on individual
products.
I am not sure that we in the Congress-we have 2 physicians out
of a body of 435, or 3 physicians-that we really have the technical
training to start passing judgment on individual drug products. I
don't want to get us in that position.
But my motivation to be here this morning is to focus attention
on it, hoping that the FDA after realizing that Congress is interest-
ed in it, might go back and reevaluate their position and say, why
don't we take a chance and list DMSO on prescription only. This
means that you will have a physician who is trained in making the
judgments making the determination. You are not going to have it
sold in the drugstore where we people can use it like horse lini-
ment.
So I don't think that the passage or failure of the bill is what is
important. What is important is will the American people who
suffer from arthritis, bursitis, scleroderma and other problems
have access to any kind of new technology introduced in the
United States without having to go through a lot of redtape and
hassle.
Mr. HOPKINS. Is your legislation receiving any support from the
medical profession?
Mr. SYMMS. There is some interest and encouragement in it, but
I think at the most you will have some witnesses this morning who
I think can probably answer that better. Most people who are
professionals in the medical health dispensary business, so to
speak, would prefer to have a pattern where you could have a
professional medical board make a judgment on something.
I believe that there should be a time limit within 180 days, and it
is in my general reform bill, that the FDA has to say yes or no. So
then you know where you are from the private side of the thing so
that you can decide, shall we move forward with this product or
shall we stop? If you get a flat no after 180 days, you say, let's not
spend $15 million here, but let's start on this product.
What is happening is a nightmare, and it is really outrageous.
Like I said earlier, the most ineffective drug that there is is the
one that you need as a patient and your physician would like to
have to treat you and it is unavailable and you have to fly to
Western Europe to get it. I think that is the problem.
Mr. HOPKINS. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Ms. Oakar?
Ms. OAKAR. Just one quick question for the Congressman. A yes
or no would be fine. I am glad you are here.
Have you used this drug?
Mr. SYMMS. No, I have not. I have had just a slight bit of
experience with DMSO insofar as with my wife when I have
rubbed some on her and you can taste it instantly. But I have not
had any problems.
Ms. ŎAKAR. Did it help your wife?
Mr. SYMMS. Not particularly. In her particular instance it did
not. But I don't think she gave it a fair test. But I think the
patients have to make these decisions. Her choice has been not to
go that course of treatment.
