I am not superstitious, so I do not think the following is coincidental:

-In the past year there has been increased chatter on positives of the gel pump in MJFF blog, on the Ask the Doctor forum at National Parkinson Foundation, etc.

-Abbott files for approval with FDA late 2012.

-Notable too is buzz on it in the investor's market.

-Abbott is scheduled to announce on April 25th the results of the Phase III trial at the American Academy of Neurology.

-Abbvie (Abbott spinoff) is the premiere sponsor of the PD Unity Walk on April 27th!!!

This means they are pretty darn sure they have FDA approval. Since Abbvie is a new company with exclusive rights to Duodopa they would have no other PD interest in sponsoring the Unity walk?!?!

I know LFAC has been skeptical over it due to costs and who qualifies. We can relate. However, I would think that since doctors are now on public PD forums recommending the pump as an option for patients who do not want DBS, that they are going to price the pump competitively and not restrict who can have the treatment. In other words, relief!!!

I want to break out and happy dance but want to save it for the official announcement. Am I drawing the wrong conclusions here?!?

I am already dreaming up ways to make schlepping the pump around more attractive and practical.


Laura