ground zero opinion from doctor on provenge

Just been digging around and found an article about Dr Liang who is very pro Provenge. He talks about the concerns that doctor's face prescribing the drug.

To me, this is relevant considering it's the only immuno-therapy approved and a company which paved the way for others so to speak including our beloved baby PRR. Without a doubt it would be good to know what's going on on the frontline - the doctors, specialists, hospitals and GP's etc to know what their attitude is to the drug (provenge) so that we can do better (and continue to NOT follow DNDN's footsteps regardless)!

Whilst it's just one opinion of one Urologist it's still an opinion. An opinion which appears to be objective concerns because he uses the drug, received the training to administer it and provides the infusion treatment to patients. But here he explains he has concerns re reimbursement of upfront outlayed costs which he has to bear.

Here is the link to his video on Provenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbSGF71LXIg

Below is the article which you can read re Dr Liang's real-life concerns on reimbursement of upfront payments for the drug - here is an abstract with the gist of his concerns:

'Liang: There are two problems - identifying patients and a reluctance to take a financial risk. I'm an early adopter. I think the science is fascinating. It was possible for community urologists to become an infusion center, and I was probably one of the earlier ones. It took awhile to get trained, but eventually, I infused two patients. So far, I've given 5 infusions to those two patients. I have one more to give to one of them. So that's three infusions given to one patient and two to another.

Right now, I have a bill for $155,000 from McKesson (MCK) and I have to start making payments in October. I've only gotten paid by Medicare for the first two infusions and I'm billed at $31,000 for each infusion by McKesson. That�s daunting. I don't keep more than $80,000 in my business checking account. If I don't get reimbursed by the payer, it's going to be terrible'.


but read the link below for full story. I'm not ramping this up or down. am long term holder but as i posted yesterday Prima have time to deal with these issues and i'm sure won't make such a co*%kup as DNDN have.

found this info here: http://seekingalpha.com/article/285183-doctor-who-is-a-provenge-fan-says-reimbursement-is-a-risk?source=marketwatch

Their drug works. I just think they haven't priced it right but am speaking generally. Doctor's basically have to outlay 93k meh. before they get their money back. pfft where's the incentive if your practice can't afford to take a hit like that. That to me seems like an obvious problem and god knows why their board didn't address this properly. Incompetence. Price+ease of purchase/transaction to me will reflect demand for the product as their isn't too much doubt that it works (although dr's do not all agree how). duhh... lol

it's a win win for me next week. Prima follow's market down..i buy. Prima goes up my 'paper losses' lessen imo

...party on XD