Florist questioned over deliveries to FDA office

Flowers sent to mark anniversary of drug panel recommendation

The roses were sent to commemorate the one-year anniversary of two FDA advisory panel votes recommending the agency approve Provenge, a prostate cancer vaccine. The vaccine has not yet been certified for public use.

Ted Cohen, a Langhorn, Pa., resident and investor in the pharmaceutical company that makes the unapproved vaccine, sent the ‘‘live” roses to the commissioner with a card referencing the panel recommendation, he said.

A day after the flowers were sent, special agents showed up at the florist to find out who ordered the deliveries.

‘‘If the commissioner receives an unsolicited gift, as a matter of security, it is routine to follow up,” said Heidi Rebello, FDA spokeswoman.

She did not confirm any details of the incidents.

White roses represent different things, but are commonly used to symbolize peace, Khatchatoorian said.

‘‘But this wasn’t a peace situation, I know,” she said, adding the investigators left after getting the customers’ names.

‘‘We send a lot of dead flowers for people who are turning 50, over the hill,” Khatchatoorian said.

The florist did not identify who ordered the dead flowers.

Cohen and others who oppose the FDA’s handling of the vaccine argue the product is a victim of insider maneuverings.

‘‘I can smell this deal at the FDA all the way up here in Langhorn, Pa., and it’s worse than the Blue Plains sewage plant,” Cohen said, referring to the Washington, D.C., wastewater treatment facility.

Rebello said consideration of the drug is ongoing, pending more information about the product.

Protestors with the organization called Care to Live have taken their message in recent weeks to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building on Fishers Lane in Rockville, where the FDA has offices.