Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease International Support Alliance’s Response to French hGH Trial

Worldwide – March 3, 2008 – Seven physicians and pharmacists are on trial in France for the deaths of more than 100 individuals who have died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) after being treated with contaminated human growth hormone produced from pituitaries of cadavers in the 1960s through the 1980s. This practice was terminated in 1985 in most countries around the world after tainted growth hormone was linked to CJD. In France this human pituitary hormone product continued to be used until 1988.

The members of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease International Support Alliance (CJDISA) and the patients and families they represent offers their fullest support to those French families who lost a loved one to CJD through the injection of contaminated human growth hormone. “The tragedy of the loss is compounded by the fact that the patients were all young and appear to have become victims of this disease through negligence on the part of physicians in whom we are taught to place our utmost faith,” said Florence Kranitz, co-chairperson of the CJDISA. ”No one should be held less accountable for their actions, regardless of their position.”

In a statement issued by the CJDISA, the organization stated, “Although it is impossible to bring back those promising young adults, we hope that through full disclosure in the French courts, these families will receive a measure of solace.”

Members of the CJDISA include The CJD Support Group Network of Australia, The CJD Support Network of Japan, The CJD Alliance of the United Kingdom, The CJD Support Network of the United Kingdom, The Associazone Italiana Encefalopatie da Prione of Italy, CJD Insight of the United States and The United States CJD Foundation.

The CJD International Support Alliance was founded in 2006 by a group of grassroots nonprofit organizations who share a vital commitment to prion disease victims, their families and those at risk for prion disease and to support prion disease research in hopes of finding a cure for this 100% fatal brain disease. They also act together as a watchdog organization.

Contact Information:
Florence Kranitz
330-665-5590
florence@cjdfoundation.org
www.cjdfoundation.org
http://www.cjdfoundation.org/

Suzanne Solvyns
s.solvyns@cjdsupport.org.au
www.cjdsupport.org.au