The Sheridan Group, a Washington-DC government relations firm that has represented The CFIDS Association of America since 1992, was instrumental in a landmark Food and Drug Administration decision made January 8th 2004. The FDA declined the manufacturer’s application to put silicone implants back on the market, even though an FDA advisory committee had recommended approval. The Sheridan Group rallied researchers, physicians and women who have become ill since receiving implants. They presented compelling evidence that ultimately led to this FDA ruling. Generally the FDA acts on recommendations made by advisory panels, making this an important departure from tradition. Many of the ill women have reported a CFIDS-like condition following the rupture of silicone implants.

The Sheri dan Group provides strategic guidance for The CFIDS Association’s advocacy program and has been instrumental in securing funding increases for CFIDS research and exposing a funding scandal at the Centers for Disease Control involving CFIDS research, and crafting a Social Security Administration ruling making it easier for CFIDS patients to receive federal disability benefits. The Sheri dan Group has held 12 annual CFIDS lobby days for advocates and has fostered productive relationships on Capitol Hill and within federal health agencies on the Association’s behalf. This firm, and Tom Sheri dan and Mary Beth Buchholz in particular, have achieved a great deal for the CFIDS community. We celebrate this latest victory with them.

For more on the silicone breast implant decision see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1658-2004Jan8.html

Read about The Sheridan Group at http://www.sheridangroupdc.com/aboutus.html