National Fibromyalgia Association president selected to attend FDA workshop in D.C. focusing on chronic pain

Orange, CA - July 10, 2005

Lynne Matallana , president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), the largest nonprofit (501c3) organization for people with fibromyalgia, has been selected to participate in a workshop on chronic pain illnesses sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 25 - 26, 2005 in Washington , D.C.

The FDA workshop will discuss issues related to drug safety, and shed light on the public debate about the risks and benefits of certain drugs. The workshop will provide information to attendees on how to help the public better understand the process of risk/benefit analysis and to facilitate their role in advising FDA about product approval issues.

Matallana, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1995, is the only attendee invited to represent the fibromyalgia "patient viewpoint." The NFA estimates that there are up to 10 million Americans with fibromyalgia, most of whom are women.

"With the recent debates surrounding certain pharmacological treatments for chronic pain illnesses, this workshop is extremely timely and necessary so that the concerns and beliefs of the pain community can be brought into focus and addressed," said Matallana. "Establishing a forum where we can reflect on the specifics of these debates and have the opportunity to discuss the complex issues associated with balancing a drug's risks and benefits, will help us to establish better ways to educate the public about drug safety."

Matallana is asking people with fibromyalgia to share their feelings on the subject and express their expectations of the role that the FDA should take. Suggestions may be emailed to cwalson@fmaware.org. The NFA will accept submissions until August 19, 2005 .

About Lynne Matallana

In 1997, Lynne Matallana founded the National Fibromyalgia Association, a non-profit organization which develops and executes programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. The NFA presently assists a network of over 1,500 support groups nationwide, provides patient support and assistance via its internationally recognized magazine "Fibromyalgia AWARE", and award-winning website www.fmaware.org. The NFA supports media awareness and outreach, physician continuing medical education, patient advocacy and medical research.

Matallana is also the author of the newly released book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fibromyalgia, Alpha, Penguin Putnam Press.