The Chinese Shar Pei are an ancient and noble breed. Aside from their unique "wrinkled" appearance they are unparalleled in their intelligence, devotion and personality. They are one of the 14 oldest breeds, closest to the wolf genetically. They are in a class by themselves as any Pei owner will testify.
A substantial percentage (approx 25%) of Chinese Shar Pei dogs are afflicted with Familial Shar Pei Fever (FSF). FSF is an auto-inflamatory disorder that in a significant number of cases can lead to systemic, reactive amyloidosis resulting in kidney and/or liver failure and (eventually) a horrific death. Presently the primary treatment protocol to help control this condition and help prevent the accumulation of amyloid in the organs is a medication called Colchicine.
Colchicine is a natural product extracted from plants of the genus
Colchicum (
autumn crocus,
Colchicum autumnale, also known as "meadow saffron"). It was used originally to treat rheumatic complaints and still finds use for these purposes today. Oral colchicine has been used for centuries as an
unapproved drug before the FDA even existed. Benjamin Franklin used colchicine for his gout!
Since URL Pharma received FDA approval for its colchicine product
Colcrys the price for the Colchicine product went from .44cents/tablet to $5/tablet. At 2 tablets a day (typical Rx'd dosage for FSF) this makes the current cost $300.00 per month, per dog. URL Pharma and the FDA have been notified of the use of colchicine in Chinese Shar-Pei with Familial Shar-Pei Fever to prevent the reactive systemic Amyloidosis which occurs in approximately 5% of FSF afflicted dogs. URL Pharma has thus far refused to allow Chinese Shar Pei to participate in their Colcrys Patient Assistance Program. The FDA has stated that they are a regulatory agency that has no power to control such pricing by pharmaceutical companies.
This leaves many families of these Shar Pei in this difficult economy forced to leave their beloved companions untreated and to watch them die terrible and unnecessary deaths for sake of a Pharmaceutical company's profit margins. This is the United States of America, not some 3rd world country where animals suffer because simple single ingredient medications are unaffordable.
Please sign this petition asking that URL Pharma allow our beloved Shar Pei to participate in their Patient Assistance Program so that the THOUSANDS of these dogs in the US will not go untreated and thus be at risk of an unnecessary, premature, painful death.
Please sign so these beautiful, beloved companions can get the medicine that they need to SURVIVE.
Thank You!
Rev. JL Wortham-Morgan
