Zantac Lawsuit


Researching drug company and regulatory malfeasance for over 16 years
Humanist, humorist

Monday, November 30, 2009

Pfizer and MHRA Pushing the Boat Out With Message

It would appear that there is a lot of money being splashed around by pharma giants Pfizer with regard to them 'helping' curb the popularity of people buying prescription drugs online.

The latest, in what seems to be a massive PR exercise, sees a new website called, 'REALDANGER. Get Real, Get a Prescription.'

The venture is led by Pfizer but has gained the support of, amongst others, the MHRA.

One would think that the MHRA have more important things to deal with, if their yellow card adverse reports are to be believed.

The latest number of reported reactions for Seroxat is 32,100 with a reported 169 deaths.

The image Pfizer are using to promote this initiative could also be used for those 169 people.


Image: realdanger.co.uk

Forgive me for being cynical but I do think the MHRA seriously need to get their house in order before they start proclaiming that 'fake drugs' are inferior to the ones that are currently under licence from them!

**Pfizer are the makers of Viagra, a drug that has been targeted by counterfeiters online.

Related posts: Is Seroxat a Teratogen?

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Update on my book


Image: summit.k12.co.us


It's pretty hard to juggle in between blog posts and the book I've been writing. Today I drafted three Chapters, up to 18 so far and over 58,000 words.

I find it easier once I knuckle down. It is still in its infancy with regards to the way books are written [or should that be wrote?]

Anyway, it's basically about my journey so far- the trials and tribulations of writing a blog, corresponding with the Medicine regulator and of course GlaxoSmithKline.

I have no idea when it will be finished, maybe it will be Part I and another book will follow?

Who knows?

Anyway... until then

Fid

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Angry Parent Sends Letter to School Re: GSK's Cervarix Vaccine


Image: pharmamarketeer.nl


Quite a superb letter from an angry parent was sent in to the Headmaster of The Thomas Aveling School, in Kent, UK.

The letter appears on the blog Everyday Catholic Woman and highlights many of GlaxoSmithKline's misdemeanours.

The letter, which is a fine example of research finishes with:

My daughter REDACTED will no longer be vaccinated by anybody through your school, as this major Pharmaceutical Cartel (GlaxoSmithKline) cannot be trusted with the welfare of our children and as the Treasonous criminals who are currently employed by the United Kingdom Corporation have consistently abused their powers and deceived the people of this fine country.

If you have any question, queries and concern do not hesitate to contact me. I trust that you understand my wishes so the matter will not need to be taken further.

Yours sincerely,


REDACTED
(Father of the child)


The full letter can be read HERE

Related links:

Cervarix Tested For Boys!

GlaxoSmithKline challenged safety Cervarix anti-cancer vaccine left girl partially paralysed

4,602 Suspected Adverse Reactions to GSK's Cervarix!

Girls used as Guinea Pigs in HPV Trials Admits GSK

GSK - A Catalogue of Disasters!

Glaxo: "Promote More, Feel Better and Live a Life of Luxury"

Glaxo Goes Head-to-Head on HPV

Teenage Girls Sue Over GSK's Cancer Jab, Cervarix!

GlaxoSmithKline submits final study data to FDA for cervical cancer vaccine

HPV Vaccine Video on Youtube

Concerns over GSK's Cervarix vaccine

UP YOURS GLAXO!

Mindy Merck & Gail Glaxo Dilemma

LOLA'S LAND PROMOTING HPV VACCINE

GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix. Is Your Daughter Safe?

More debate on GSK's Cervarix

Cervical Cancer, Ofsted & GlaxoSmithKline

Fid

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Monday, November 23, 2009

SEVERING TIES WITH THE MHRA




It seems uncanny that the first ever post on this blog, back in 2006, was to highlight the failings of the MHRA. Over three years has passed since that first post, 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days, 1,326 days, to be exact.

I was quite shocked when I worked this out. I've been writing for that length of time about something I am passionate about. I don't get paid for what I write, quite a lot of man hours put in for voluntary work one would think.

During these 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days the MHRA have investigated the safety and efficacy of Seroxat and other SSRis/SNRi's. Each time, they have concluded, that the benefits outweigh the risks.

On the 6th March 2008, the MHRA issued a press release, 'GSK investigation concludes'

Part of that statement reads:

The MHRA has concluded its four year investigation into Glaxosmithkline and its antidepressant drug Seroxat. The investigation focused on whether GSK had failed to inform the MHRA of information it had on the safety of Seroxat in under 18’s in a timely manner.

The investigation was undertaken with a view to a potential criminal prosecution for breach of drug safety legislation. It was the largest investigation of its kind in the UK, and included the scrutiny of over 1 million pages of evidence.

The decision taken by Government Prosecutors, based on the investigation findings and legal advice, is that there is no realistic prospect of a conviction in this case, and that the case should not proceed to criminal prosecution.


It continued with:

Professor Kent Woods, MHRA Chief Executive, said: “I remain concerned that GSK could and should have reported this information earlier than they did. All companies have a responsibility to patients, and should report any adverse data signals to us as soon asthey discover them. This investigation has revealed important weaknesses in the drug safety legislation in force at the time.

It is interesting to note that the deflection away from the behaviour of GlaxoSmithKline is directed toward the drug safety legislation in place at that time.

It is also interesting to note that in the four paragraph press release the MHRA choose not to chastise GlaxoSmithKline.

I, along with others, was never happy with the way this investigation was handled and, as with others, I made my feelings clear on this blog and in various other forms of communication with the MHRA. It was, however, something that I and others had anticipated.

The one chance at a criminal prosecution being brought against GlaxoSmithKline, scuppered by an antiquated drug safety legislation. To put it into layman's terms, The MHRA and GlaxoSmithKline had squared up for a fight in the ring. GlaxoSmithKline won on points. There was to be no re-match.

The response from GSK into the MHRA's conclusion of this 4 year investigation was more like a 'thank you' note if one reads between the lines. It smacked of smugness and a severe lack of conscience.

Both the MHRA and GlaxoSmithKline rode the storm that ensued, "Today's newspaper is tomorrow's fish and chip paper."

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

MHRA Response: Limp-Wristed and Cowardly


Image: thejabberwock.org


So here is the response the MHRA gave me.



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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Is Seroxat a Teratogen? : All in 15 Days work


Image: randi.org


It is important, before you continue to read on, that you read the first part of this particular correspondence with the Medicines Healthcare and products Regulatory Agency [MHRA] HERE

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Response From MHRA - "Is Seroxat/Paxil a Teratogen?"


Image: randi.org


I first started writing this blog in 2006. I was basically frustrated at the lack of transparency coming out of the MHRA - My first post pointed to a story from 2004, it was, in essence, an article by Richard Brook giving the reasons as to why he resigned from the Expert Working Group who reviewed the safety of antidepressants.

Brook was then the CEO for the mental health charity, MIND, and he had accused the MHRA of failing in its duty by not acting on data showing that thousands of people were taking unsafe doses of Seroxat.

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Friday, November 20, 2009

The Story of GlaxoSmithKline The Company Contracted to Make Your H1N1 Vaccine

Just found this on youtube.

Here's the blurb from Sharp Edge Studios, who made the video:

"This video was made to be displayed at the University of Windsor in the CAW center one day before the H1N1 vaccine clinic opens on November 26th. It was made to inform the public about GlaxoSmithKline before they decide to get the H1N1 flu shot."



Fid

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Is Seroxat a teratogen. GSK: "discuss your concerns with your doctor"


Image: blog.prescriptionaccess.org


Part III of this on-going saga.



I've had another reply from GlaxoSmithKline regarding the question I put to them last week.

'Is Seroxat a teratogen'?

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The GSK Teratogen Plot... Thickens!


Image: blog.prescriptionaccess.org



Bizarre behaviour happening over at the enquiries desk at GlaxoSmithKline. They still have not answered a question I put to them - Is paroxetine a teratogen?

Teratogen: Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens may cause a birth defect in the child. Or a teratogen may halt the pregnancy outright. The classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.

Following on from yesterday's answer, where they apparently included a response in an attachment to me via email, they, today, wrote the following to me:

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

GSK Response to Teratogen question - Laughable


Image: e-architect.co.uk



Well, I have kind of seen every trick in the book now...

A few days ago I wrote to GlaxoSmithKline enquiries to ask a simple, yet very important question.

Is paroxetine [Paxil, Seroxat] a teratogen?

To be honest I didn't think they would answer me, and even if they did they would probably direct me to part of their website where one would need a degree in bio-chemistry to fathom out what was written.

I was wrong.

Their response was far more off the wall than the above.

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Art Auction for Paxil Heart Defect Victims




The Bitter Pill, the Official Blog of UNITE – uniteforlife.org, is running a campaign for the parents of Manie, a child born with Transposition of the Great Arteries.

The family has a case pending against Glaxosmithkline for Manie’s heart defect caused by Paxil. The case, like so many against GlaxoSmithKline, is moving along at a snail's pace and medical and travel expenses for Manie are hitting the family hard.

Manie needs this treatment and his family need help with the expenses. GlaxoSmithKline deny that Paxil causes heart defects, despite being found guilty in the recent GSK v Kilker trial - a decision that they are appealing against.

There are approx another 630 cases pending with regard to Paxil causing heart defects in children. Rather than do the right thing [admit liability] Glaxo are choosing to dig in their heels and plead their innocence. Meantime, folks like Manie's parents are faced with the daily struggles of juggling money for their child to survive.

The legal system needs changing. If a company or person is found guilty of manufacturing a harmful product then they should compensate the victims whom that product has harmed or at the very least pay for the travel and medical expenses!

Manie's mother, Julie, tells her story of her son's plight on the excellent blog, 'Big Pharma Victim'

To make ends meet the family is now auctioning off some of their artwork, some of which can be viewed HERE

Ten percent of the sales will be donated back to the UNITE / MADNAP cause for public awareness to help save other babies. For more information on how UNITE / MADNAP utilize donations send an email to amy@uniteforlife.org

To donate commissioned artwork or other goods to this auction, contact Julie & Russell at give2manie@yahoo.com

To read more on the previous Paxil/Birth Defect trial click HERE

To read about the teratogen link in Paxil read HERE


Here is a short clip of Manie at hospital a couple of days after airtubes were removed.



Hat - Tip: Amy Philo


Fid

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Saturday, November 14, 2009

Paroxetine - The Teratogenic Effect by Bob Fiddaman

Now there's a word, "Teratogenic" - one most of you will be unaware of - one that has caused me considerable confusion over the past few weeks. I shall explain.

The recent GSK vs Kilker case saw files flood the Internet, many of which, if not all, are featured on this blog and my sister blog, GlaxoSmithKline Internal Files

What I find astounding is that this word, "Teratogenic" and/or "Teratogen" often appears throughout the Kilker files. A quick search of the word/s simplifies it into laymans terms:

Teratogenic: Able to disturb the growth and development of an embryo or fetus.

Teratogen: Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens may cause a birth defect in the child. Or a teratogen may halt the pregnancy outright. The classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.

What has caused me much confusion over the past few weeks is the lack of help I have received trying to find out more about the paroxetine [Paxil, Seroxat] and teratogen link.

The Kilker case files show a link between paroxetine and its teratogenic effect, such a strong link that the jury in that case found that paroxetine was the causation of young Lyam Kilker being born with heart defects.

As a patient/concerned UK citizen I have tried to ask questions regarding this link.

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Friday, November 13, 2009

Seroxat: Risk v Benefit - Kevin's Story


Image: i.dailymail.co.uk



I stumbled across this fascinating story of one man and his time on GlaxoSmithKline's Seroxat. It fascinates me in as much as the author, 'Kevin', seems to be a very articulate who writes skilfully and, I'm sure you will agree, without bias.

It's difficult, for me anyhow, to deem whether or not this is a Seroxat success story, indeed if any one person's time on Seroxat can be deemed a success, particularly when one experiences the 'risks' as opposed to the benefits.

Kevin eloquently puts his points across.



Reproduced in its entirety with permission from Social Anxiety UK


Kevin's Story


If it’s something you have never tried, then it’s something you will surely be aware of by now. Seroxat, the drug used to help treat both depression and anxiety has been causing a stir in the mainstream media, derided for it’s alleged link with suicide cases.

Of course, what many scribes tend, or choose, to ignore that people will turn to the drug as a last resort to help them climb out of depression and possibly allay suicidal thoughts.

Whatever, anyone still reading this probably wants the answer to one question: does it work?

Well, before attempting to answer that I must supply the obligatory disclaimer. I am NOT a doctor; I don’t claim to be, and I don’t claim to be an expert on anything drug-related. There is one thing we’re all an expert on, and that is knowing our own experiences, and that is what I intend to share.

To the question above, you will, unsurprisingly as it’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question, usually receive one of two answers. Sadly for you, I’m going to take the mantle of that annoying itch on your buttocks and answer “yes… and no”.

I started taking Seroxat in early 2001. I’d been suffering from what I eventually came to know as Social Anxiety (SA) for approximately seven years, fluctuating in school between the popular guy who mixed with all crowds and banged in goals for the football team, and the misfit who avoided speaking to anyone and didn’t really do anything at all. In college my attendance eventually dropped to 40% for all my classes, and when I went to Essex University for three months I didn’t attend anything at all. I’d been to a private psychiatrist, albeit briefly, prior to going, and I’d made my parents well aware that without something else, without some sort of a treatment, there was no way I would make it beyond a few weeks.

So I saw my local GP when I arrived back home, and with the NHS not being particularly useful in fixing me up with a psychiatrist, he reluctantly prescribed me this ‘wonder drug’. I’m not entirely sure how the reluctance arose; I mean the potentially negative aspects of the drug will surely have been well-circulated amongst the medical community; but then again he was keen to stress it was important not to rely on it as a crutch. Either way, put me on it he did, and to be quite honest, fuelled by it I had the greatest summer since I was a primary school kid. I didn’t go on holiday anywhere; just a stack of nights out with mates, and of the side effects extensively listed in the pamphlet I had my fair share. But it gave me such freedom; after time I didn’t have to worry about waking up the next day too afraid to leave my house, or too afraid to answer the phone.

Never did I think penis-related difficulties and insomnia would be paradise, but, compared to what I was experiencing before, that’s exactly what it was. But these side effects didn’t last that long, maybe three months or so. There are plenty of others, which I escaped; nausea, headaches and loss of appetite to name a few. It seems they’re inevitable, but a lottery as to the ones you get. Test one is valuing the potential benefits of Seroxat against these side effects. Personally, the exhaustion of the sleepless nights and the, uh, discomfort of impotence was nothing compared agony of facing an everyday social situation.

At the onset of autumn 2001, I was back at university, this time Staffordshire, with a renewed confidence. For the first time I was entering an academic year free of the constraints of my SA. Seroxat, to this point, had been saving my life. But it didn’t last. After six months, this was the first time I had been back, consistently, amongst society. For the last six months I had chilled out at home, living at my own pace. As soon as I was back under social pressure, amongst people I didn’t know, the effects of Seroxat slipped, hence the “…no” aspect of my earlier answer. Of course I can only relay my own experiences, and in my case Seroxat only seemed to work when I knew I could enter social situations at my own free will, when I wasn’t being forced to do so via circumstances on a daily basis.

It may have continued to help to a degree. My SA has always fluctuated. Some people who have only met me once or twice would describe me as hilarious, confident while showing great humility, as well as open yet polite, and tremendously sociable. Others would say I’m passive to the point of rudeness, and verbally clumsy in conversation, losing my train of thought and not paying great attention in conversation. I know which ‘me’ I prefer, but even with Seroxat I can’t achieve that consistently. Continuing to take it for a few months I was able to sustain a 66%-good record for a while, but this dipped and by Christmas I was back down to, at best, 50-50. I even took the unadvised route of taking five pills a day instead of the maximum dosage of three, desperate to regain the normality I was living throughout the summer.

After my SA took unmanageable control I dropped out once again.

Last year and this, my SA has been just as bad. But somehow, I don’t know how, I’ve fought it with inner strength that I hadn’t found before. In the past, pre-Seroxat, I had forced good spells by just being out there, be it at school, college or forcing myself out socially with my mates. I’m forcing myself into social situations now more than any other time in the last three years, and more consistently than ever since I finished college four years ago. I still get desperate, and dabble with periods of Seroxat when I feel desperate. But I’ve done so enough times now to know that it will never have the same effect as it did back when I first started taking it. Unless I experiment with an alternative at some stage, I’m battling SA with my own homemade weapons for the foreseeable future.

To someone seeking medication and wary of but willing to face the early side effects, Seroxat may be worth a try. Whether it works for you or not, one must be very careful when coming off it. I hadn’t entirely trusted the journalist hyperbole about its failings until late last year, and I still don’t really, but then I experienced its potential dangers for the first time. I had been struggling immensely, forcing myself to class as much as possible but slipping too often. I was back on it for a few weeks, taking, again, an unrecommended dosage. No luck. The day I came off it I was hit by incredible panic. Suddenly, I was asking myself what the point was. Suddenly, the reality of my situation was I was fighting a pointless battle. I hadn’t felt this way for two years; and back then no-one understood my situation. It made sense to panic; but this time it didn’t. But, whether or not it was the Seroxat making me delusional, rationality wasn’t something I particularly cared about.

That was the only time I have ever truly come close to suicide. I had emptied several weeks’ dosage of Seroxat into a glass, along with 50-odd paracetemol. I’m quite sure I would have gone through with it, too, but a random phone call from a friend, catching me in floods of tears, probably saved my life. I came out with dismissive rhetoric (“if I tell you I’m not going to do it will you go away?”) but the call itself disrupted my loneliness for long enough for the adrenaline to subside.

The timing was too coincidental too be anything but withdrawal. If anything it’s taught me a lesson to pass on: be careful, be responsible. You’re taking Seroxat to help you control your life, don’t let it control you.

Original story can be found on the Social Anxiety UK website

Fid

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Reflections On An Obsession... Part IV - Lundbeck


Image: wacountry.health.wa.gov.au


Reflections On An Obsession... Part I - The Eulogy

Reflections of an Obsession - Part II - Unredacted

Reflections On An Obsession... Part III - The Emporers Clothes



Reflections On An Obsession... Part IV - Lundbeck

The story of Sheryl Tilbrook, as written by her father, Stuart Jones.


Analysis of a Nightmare. 17th of May 2007.

I had a dream last night, the same dream I’ve had many times before, but this time I spoke of it to Claudette …. “It doesn’t make any sense to me“, I complained to her - as I was driving home to Wales from my daughter’s house in England - “I mean, in real life I don’t feel fear, but in this dream I keep on making simple mistakes in the job I’m doing, and have been taught to do, but the ground rules seem to keep on changing and I’m afraid I’ve upset the boss, then make up the most pitiful, inane excuses for not doing the work properly. In the dream I’m actually so afraid of upsetting the person in charge I procrastinate and even lie to protect myself … I don‘t understand it, I’ve always fought my monsters, or at least come to terms with them.”

“Well?” I queried after a few more miles on the road home, “What do you make of it?”

For another mile or two she carried on with knitting a matinee jacket for our nephew and his partner’s latest expected, then simply said; “It’s that time of year!”

“I know that, there’s always that! …. but the dream was just more vivid and disturbing than is usual, and in any case, I don’t see what me being afraid in dreams has to do with Sheryl’s death.”

She put the knitting in her lap and stared out through the windscreen at the road ahead. “It’s the eighteenth of May tomorrow, exactly six years since Sher was given the prescription for Cipramil that set off the cataclysmic chain of events.

You were never trained for what followed, you learned, and all things considered, you learned well ….”

Her voice had cracked a little and I turned to look at her. Her eyes had welled with water, not quite enough to form tears. She rarely cries but her moist, widened eyes jolted her pain through me like an electric charge.

I wanted to pull the car over and comfort her, but drove on knowing how much she hates to be pitied or touched because then she does break into tears and despises herself for showing weakness.

Claudette picked up her knitting but didn’t resume her work. “I’ll tell you what I believe about your dream.” she said, continuing the conversation, her voice even and normal now. “Your boss is you, or more accurately, the promise you made to Sher that you would bring those responsible for her death to account, and that’s proved to be impossible.

You learnt it was Lundbeck who made Cipramil, and by not warning that their me too version of an SSRI antidepressant could cause people to become suicidal, they caused her death.

And when you investigated how this was allowed to happen, how such a potentially dangerous chemical could be granted a licence to be prescribed to anyone for almost any reason, you learnt that the regulatory body set up to examine whether drugs are safe and effective, was wholly funded by the pharmaceutical industry …. Worse, you discovered the history of SSRIs was written in controversy and the blood and death of many ordinary people, and that many others have to live with their devastating side-effects.

You learnt these matters were already being addressed by the pharmacovigilance arm of the MCA in the form of an Ad Hoc EWG working group, set up to examine the safety and efficacy of all antidepressants, but innapropriately, many of it’s members had conflicts of interest, in that they had pecuniary, or other, vested interests in the very drug makers, whose SSRIs had caused the controversy which led to their investigation. And even though we helped to get this tainted committee disbanded, it was not enough for you, or for that matter me ….”

We failed in our attempt to sue Lundbeck for murdering Sheryl, breaching her human rights and breaching product information law, as we also failed in our attempt to get the CPS to initiate a criminal case for corporate manslaughter.

The monster you were fighting was the pervasive influence of the pharmaceutical industry, it’s a monster you can not beat, nor come to terms with. You’ve hit out at it many times, and you’ve probably bothered it once or twice, but if you have, it will have been like a small insect bite, an annoyance.

Had it been a person who had killed Sheryl, and all else had failed, you or any one of us would have killed that person and suffered the consequences. You know it!

We easily forgive and forget many things but not the death of our child.

You see Stuart, I too have a nightmare, I live in it on a daily basis and relive it every night. There is no way of getting away from it because that is what Lundbeck left us with … A nightmare."

I’m sharing this very personal conversation with you to inform, and just maybe prevent you from suffering the same nightmare.

Stuart Jones. UK.

Bibliography: SSRI. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor; MCA. Medicines Control Agency (Now the MHRA, not much has changed) CPS; Crown Prosecution Service; EWG. Expert Working Group.

WARNING: If you are currently taking an SSRI do not suddenly stop taking them. Dose related change of these drugs can be dangerous. Get the help of a conversant health professional.

----

Fid

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Glaxo Take Over Company... 4 Months Later Company Told it is to Cease Operations!


Photo: James Connolly/PicSell8



Sligo left 'devastated' by medical firm closure

Source Irish Times

THE ANNOUNCEMENT that Stiefel Laboratories in Sligo is to cease operations within four years with the loss of 250 jobs was described yesterday as a “devastating blow” to the county.

Just four months after it was taken over by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), workers at the plant, some with three decades of service, were called to an emergency meeting yesterday morning for the announcement.

Managing director Joe Burns, who has been with Stiefel since it opened in Sligo in 1975 with a workforce of just 10, told staff that production will cease by 2013.

He said the planned closure in no way reflects on the performance or commitment of staff at the Sligo site, who had made a significant contribution to the success of Stiefel.

More HERE

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

For Our Boys




I'm cold, I'm lonely,
I'm scared of shellfire.
Digging a trench
KABOOM! Goes the choir.
Closer & closer
To the fallout dust.
To gain a few inches
In a war that's unjust.

There's a whistle overhead...

© BOB FIDDAMAN







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Reflections On An Obsession... Part III - The Emperors Clothes




Reflections On An Obsession... Part I - The Eulogy

Reflections of an Obsession - Part II - Unredacted

Reflections On An Obsession... Part III - The Emporers Clothes

The story of Sheryl Tilbrook, as written by her father, Stuart Jones.


24th July 2004 A visit from DS Sean Johnson

Sean called today to tell us that Mr Thomas of the CPS had decided they would not take the matter of Sheryl’s death any further.

Rather surprisingly, the news was a disappointment, and awoke the monster of my obsession. (Read the document - Reflections On An Obsession)

I think the monster again became wakeful when the rare gems of Claudette’s scrupulously guarded hoard of tears dropped carelessly from her eyes, after she’d read the letter of refusal to prosecute Lundbeck A/S, which had been dutifully delivered to us by Sean.

I had expected a negative decision from the day that Claudette first telephoned Aberystwyth Police Station and in a conversational manner registered a complaint of Unlawful Death, to what I have ever since imagined to be, a somewhat bewildered and slightly amused officer. I could only imagine his part of the conversation …“Yes Mrs Jones … you say your daughter … was killed? … I see. … And which sort of pills did her Doctor prescribe for her? … Cipramil! … Made by Lundbeck, you said?…and these pills are an SSRI? And that is … just let me write that down. Cipramil is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Umm! … Well I’ll get someone to contact you”

I temporised the officers’ responses as I watched Claudette’s dispassionate expression, whilst she calmly related to him the facts of our daughter Sheryl’s death.

If that officer has stayed conversant with the complaint and the emergent evidence, I wonder whether he is still just tolerantly bemused.

Since then, many high profile media articles and television programs have questioned the safety and effectiveness of all SSRIs, and as a result of these investigations and ongoing disclosures by interested parties and whistle blowers, the issue of drug emergent suicidality and violence is now an established fact … To the extent that the MHRA has banned SSRI use in under 18yr olds and a suicide emergence warning has been issued to GP.s about their use in the 18 to 29yr old patient group and patient information will shortly include an SSRI drug-induced suicidality warning.

Meta-analysis of all known trials into SSRIs have also shown that in many instances, the drug is not as effective as a placebo (Sugar Pill.) for the treatment of depression.

The drug industry knew of these issues since the late nineteen eighties. Companies knew about the serious side effects of their SSRIs prior to their application for a licence to market them … but chose not to include these facts, because disclosure of such facts would have seriously affected their profits.

The Pharmaceutical Companies sold the medical profession, and thereby their patients, The Emperors Clothes.

The Emperors Clothes is a fairytale and a cautionary anecdote, and the only ones to suffer lasting harm, as a result of the story characters gullibility, were the villainous tailors who convinced the emperors advisors that the illusion which they displayed was the most fashionable and excellent of garments, and had it not been for the naĂ¯ve young boy who exclaimed “The kings got no clothes on!, the Emperor would still be promenading in his nudity.

The Emperors advisors had always espoused their great knowledge in all affairs pertinent to the Empires well-being and safety… So … when the world famous tailors presented the suit of clothes, (about which, they’d convinced the court advisors that madmen and the illiterate wouldn’t be enlightened enough to see) the Emperors advisors enthused over the non-existent apparel, which the conmen had so elaborately presented to them.

It’s also more than a possibility that the tailors paid some of the kings advisors to test the suit of clothes for their effectiveness and safety, and return positive comments.

The drug companies continually try to blind us with the esoteric chemical properties of their products and are constantly reinforcing the transparency of the fact that SSRIs work and if we can’t see their good effects, it’s because we’re mentally ill, depressed or illiterate.

They are more greedy than the tailors in the Emperors Clothes and their products can be dangerous.

They pay some eminent medical professionals to endorse their products.

The FDA has only recently and reluctantly admitted there are grave problems where SSRIs are concerned but have been aware of the dangers since the late eighties.

Dr Keith Jones of the MCA assured a colleague, Dr David Healy, that the MCA were going to issue a warning of induced suicidality, including a warning for families of patients, in the year 2000. Had they issued that warning Sheryl would still be alive.

The drug companies have tried to convince us that one suit (The antidepressant SSRI.s) fit most conditions of life and the mind, and if we catch a fatal pneumonia as a result of wearing the nothing of their product … their response is … you had to wear our suit because you had a cold anyway, whether we did or not.

And if wearing their suit of nothing, (taking an SSRI) initiates a feeling which is uncomfortable or embarrassing and makes us ill, or worse … the drug industry will maintain the position that our pre-existing condition, even where there was none, caused such unwanted effects.

Even if we‘re only window shopping for something which might enable us to cope a little more easily with life, we could be prescribed their, one suits all, SSRI and become ill, act aggressively, or end our lives prematurely, through the side effects of their products.

Unfortunately, the reality of the SSRI scandal is that the villains, (the pharmaceutical industry) have not only gotten away with their ill-gotten billions in profits, they are still allowed to market them and any other suits of clothes, (drugs for the mind) they carefully present to our advisors.

Unless, like the tailors in the Emperors Clothes they are taken to task, they will never learn that they must not market unsafe and or ineffective products.
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) recently made an out of court settlement of 2.5 million dollars, to prevent Eliot Spitzer, The State Attorney General For New York, from taking that company to court for withholding data, which proved their version of an SSRI caused people to feel suicidal, and that their SSRI was not an effective treatment for patients.

All SSRIs work more or less in the same way and have the same side effects.
GSK has a slush fund set aside against legal actions, the 2.5 million they paid to settle Mr Spitzer’s suit was a negligible amount, and a spokesperson for GSK then stated that as the matter didn’t go to a court, their drug was vindicated.
Out of court settlements will not deter companies from selling ineffective or unsafe products, but company directors being hauled before courts for manslaughter, mayhem and fraud, may well do.

I have put the CPS on notice that I intend to take the matter of Sheryl’s death further.

The word “selective” was applied to Seroxat, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor manufactured by GSK, it was used as a marketing device, the term worked so well for sales it was then used by all drug makers to describe their SSRI products, and subsequently gained a pseudo application in medicine, as did all the SSRI group of drugs.

And SSRIs probably do increase serotonin in the brain, along with increasing thoughts and acts of suicide, self-harm, aggression, psychomotor malfunction, akathisia and dependence, but SSRIs don’t work for depression any better than a placebo. (sugar pill)

Our daughter Sheryl is dead! She did not die in an accident. Her death was not an act of God. She died because of the greed of a pharmaceutical company and their suit of clothes.

If Sheryl had purchased an ineffective, or unsafe appliance and that appliance had caused her death, it’s makers would have been pursued by the Criminal Justice system and punished.

I accused Lundbeck A/S of Denmark of being her killer. My wife Claudette registered that fact to the police. The police took the evidence we had and sent the matter to the CPS. They should have applied for a warrant of search and seizure, to obtain more evidence, and take Sheryl’s case further.

It is my sincere opinion that they have chosen not to do so, not because Lundbeck is not guilty, and certainly not for a lack of evidence, Eliot Spitzer’s investigators have recently proved such evidence exists.

Forest Laboratories Incorporated, Lundbeck’s partner, and the manufacturer and seller of Cipramil, called Celexa in the USA, have also been invited to present their trial data for the SSRI that killed Sheryl, to Mr Spitzer’s office … for his investigators perusal.

So I am left trying to sort out why the CPS haven‘t acted and at least brought Lundbeck A/S.s Corporate officers before a Criminal Court? and as Sher’s dad, how I will manage to obtain Justice for Sheryl and her family?

I shall do my best to succeed in doing that, and if I do, I might prevent further bad medicine from being marketed by the tailors of the pharmaceutical industry?

In pursuit of Sheryl’s and my families “Right to Justice”, I will try.

In the public interest, I will try. That’s all I can do.

S A Jones 19th September 2004


----

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Justice For GSK Victims


Original Image: whitman-ma.gov



"This petition is to bring criminal charges against GlaxoSmithKline. The medication they made has caused numerous deaths not to mention birth defects. Many babies have died or been born with horrible birth defects caused by the use of Paxil [Seroxat]. Information that Paxil caused birth defects was hidden therefore taking the right to make an informed decision was taken away from Mothers. GlaxoSmithKline needs to be held criminally accountable for their misinformation and blantant lies. It is for all these babies to have justice."

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

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Everything For A Reason




Julie Edgington has completed her first book 'Everything For A Reason' and is just awaiting lawyers approval before making it available to the public.

Julie, is the mother of Manie whom is yet another child to be born with serious heart defects that Julie claims was a result of GlaxoSmithKline's Paxil [Seroxat]

To keep up to date with the launch of Julie's book, sign up to her new blog 'Everything For A Reason' HERE

To learn more of Manie's plight visit his blog HERE

The little guy rocks!

**Last month jurors found 10-2 that GlaxoSmithKline officials “negligently failed to warn” the doctor treating Lyam Kilker's mother about Paxil’s risks and concluded the medicine was a “factual cause” of the child’s heart defects.

The Kilker family were awarded $2.5 million. [HERE]


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Why Antidepressants Don't Work


Image: chemistryland.com



An interesting article was sent to me earlier today from Steph Gatchell. For those that don't know, Steph is the mother of Sharise Gatchell. Sharise commited suicide whilst on the SSRi, Seroxat and Steph has long since been campaigning about the dangers of these types of drugs.

The article in question here was written by Dr. Mercola who writes on mercola.com. He writes:

"The site takes up virtually all of my time and I had to stop seeing patients in 2005 so I can pursue my passion of educating the public about health truths so hundreds of thousands of people don't have to die prematurely every year because of multinational corporations that put profits ahead of serving their customers."

Dr. Mercola's latest article, 'Why Antidepressants Don't Work', is well worth a read, as are the comments underneath.

Fid

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Reflections of an Obsession - Part II - Unredacted


'Sher', approx 2 months before her untimely death.


The story of Sheryl Tilbrook, as written by her father, Stuart Jones.

I originally ran with this back in March 2009. At that time, the author, Stuart Jones, wished for names and places to be redacted.

He has since reconsidered.

Reflections on an Obsession.


10/6/04 (Taken from notes on the 6/6/04)

On the morning of the sixtieth anniversary of D Day I had a respite from my obsessional research into the events which surrounded my daughter Sheryls death: As for a brief while I thought of the enormity of that assault on Hitler's Atlantic Wall defences
.
I wondered at the sheer enormity of the task. At the stark horror and at the courage and determination of those who fought that day. Of those who died. And of what we owe to them and to that battles successful outcome.

I thought of the events which had led to that momentous day. Of the blundering foreign policy and diplomacy of self-interest-orientated nation states, which led to the rise to power of Hitler's Germany, with all that evil regimes monstrous consequences.

The reason that D Day was able to, and did succeed despite the high cost, was that the price of failure would have been immeasurably higher.

I remembered relating these facts to Sheryl. It was the year of her O level examinations, she was given “Hitler's Germany” for her history subject matter, and I recalled the way she quite shamelessly bullied, teased and cajoled me into all but actually writing the text for her examination essay, and it came as no surprise when We received an A grade. I remember the poignant regret in me, as I watched some of the child in her change as she learned how the Nazis came to power and she learned of the atrocities of Hitler’s Third Reich. And I recall the pride I felt, as I saw her develop a personal resolution that such a terrible thing should never happen again.

Sheryl learned of the process of natural justice, from the decision of the Allies to try war criminals, and the resultant Nuremberg Code. And the formation of the United Nations Charter and told me that she was going to be a barrister.

Her further A level studies including law, grammar, history and literature, took her beyond my limited knowledge, yet she still included her family in her further education and I remember her humorous observations on Cider with Rosie reducing her family to helpless tears.

At that point I broke down. Tears induced by other emotions than merriment streamed down my face.

They were the tears of grief. Gradually, although my sense of loss was a tangible knot of choking pain, the grief changed to a sense of outraged indignation and I realised that I had drawn a parallel between my reminiscences and my families current plight.

The War in Europe was the result of a nations schizophrenic support for a madman. The research into Sheryl’s Death, which I have been engaged in for over three years, was instigated by the corporate schizophrenia of a pharmaceutical company and my thoughts returned to the time of my daughters death and of how it came about.

The full story can be downloaded HERE

Previous:

Reflections of an Obsession - Part I - The Eulogy

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Monday, November 09, 2009

Reflections On An Obsession... Part I - The Eulogy


Sheryl: 2 months prior to her death.



Reflections On An Obsession... Part I - The Eulogy

Sheryl Tilbrook was a quite extraordinary person, a human being who stood out amongst other people.... Until she went to her trusted medical advisor and got a prescription for an ssri...and died.

Over the coming weeks, months, however long it takes, I shall be highlighting the case of Sheryl Tilbrook, beloved daughter of Stuart and Claudette Jones, sister of Nadine, Richard, Kathryn, Nicola, Stuart & John, aunty of Katie, Martin, Gethin, Nathan, Adam, Aaron, Luke, Kelly, Cristyn, Cariad-Sher & Sophie.

I have previously covered the story of Sheryl [1], though at the time, Stuart, her father, wished for names to be redacted. He, along with his wife, Claudette, now feels the time is right to go public with this.

On 18th May 2001 Sheryl went to her GP because she was having a down day and was lacking in energy. Her GP prescribed Sheryl the SSRi antidepressant, 28 x Cipramil tablets and 7 x Zopliclone.

On the 20th May she was admitted to the intensive care unit.

On the 24th May when all hope had gone, her mother and brother turned her life support machine off.

On the 2nd June, 2001, Sheryl's parents and four generations of family members and friends gathered together to say goodbye to her. She had a guard of honour from 8 members of the London Fire Brigade in full dress uniform.

Sheryl had taken an overdose of the Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor [SSRi] Cipramil.

I would like to highlight the eulogy written by Claudette, Sheryl's mother, I feel this is important as it brings home the stark reality of it all.

No parent should have to bury their child, particularly when that child put their trust in the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry.

Stuart and Claudette Jones want justice to prevail. They want their questions answered.

I hope the platform I am about to give them eases their pain and creates an awareness that brings about answers.

Fid

[1] Reflections on an Obsession

Eulogy by Claudette Jones

SHER,

Wife, Daughter,Sister, Aunty and Friend, if I only said this it would be a lot but Sher was and is much more than this to everybody who knew her, she was a confidant and champion to all those she loved and cared for.

From a very young age she showed what she was made of, if you had Sher on your side you knew she'd make short work of any problem, because she was fiercely loyal and loved with great passion.

Her nieces and nephews knew when aunty Shershi said she would do something then come what may, it would be done.

They loved each other dearly and liked nothing more than to spend time together especially if this meant a sleep over, 'cause that would mean being thoroughly spoilt, she never begrudged anything and was always there when they needed her.

To her brothers and sisters she was more than their baby sister she was their best friend and had with each and every one of them a very special bond that could never be broken by anything including her death. Their love for each other and that bond will stay forever no matter what.

As a daughter we couldn't have hoped for better, she was bright, lively, intelligent with a tremendous sense of fun, even when she was so ill 10 years ago and on the life support machine she never lost her humour.

Her favourite nurse Margaret got renamed 'rat bag'. On one occasion Sheryl even absconded (wheel chair,oxygen tank, everything went) and Sher with the aid of her brothers just nipped down to the 'Deer's' Leap for a lunchtime drink and a whacky fag, unfortunately her 'Rat Bag' Aunty Margaret just happened to be passing and caught them all out. I think it was the first and last time that a patient from the ITU had not only gone walk-about but gotten away with it as well.

As a wife there was no better, loving, loyal, supportive.. she had no equal. She was so proud of Ron when he became a full time fireman and it's fair to say that part of Sheryl was in the fire service with him.

I've tried to give you all a sence of Sheryl and what made her tick, I hope I've achieved that but I would say to you all don't feel sorry for us, we are the lucky ones, we're proud to have known, loved and cared for our Sher for the years we were able, yes we'll grieve and won't ever stop missing her, but we'll carry her in our hearts forever and know that when we need her she'll be there and one day we'll be together again.

Baby you are the best.


----

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Friday, November 06, 2009

LEST WE FORGET



Add a poppy to your blog for this weekend.

Remember all those who have gone before us today.

Also let us not forget the brave who are currently fighting out in Afghanistan.

The Armed Forces have my utmost respect.

Brothers in arms.

Total and utter respect for those both living and whom have fallen.

We shall live forever in your debt.

Cut and paste and share this message with your friends

Thanks

Fid




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SWINE FLU VACCINE, PANDEMRIX, UNSAFE IN THOSE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESSES


Image: patentdocs.typepad.com


Source: The Environmental Illness Resource


The following statement (kindly translated by CSN) from the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine outlines their position specifically on the Pandemrix® H1N1 vaccine providing a scientific rationale for each point on a substantial list of concerns.


Press release of the German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (Deutscher Berufsverband der Umweltmediziner – DBU).


From 26. October 2009.


Swine flu [H1N1] vaccine is unsuitable for patients with chronic multi-system illnesses. Pandemrix® poses substantial health risk with respect to mass immunization programs due to the lack of proof of safety. Because of the producer’s release from liability by the German Federal Government (BRD), the risk of adverse reactions and/or permanent damage due to the vaccine rests with the patient.

The German Professional Association of Environmental Medicine (DBU) has, in spite of press releases from the BRD, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, as well as the vaccine producer’s assurances of safety, serious concerns relating to Pandemrix® (GlaxoSmithKline), the only vaccine which has been approved for mass vaccination by the BRD.

The DBU discusses at this point neither the medical use of immunization in general nor the necessity of such measures in the, up until now, mild course of the swine flu pandemic.


Our criticism is directed only against the pandemic vaccine Pandemrix®.

There exists considerable doubt as to the effectiveness of the vaccine: during the licensing phase, the vaccine tested had a 40% higher portion of virus antigen (5. 25µg) than the vaccine (3.75µg) now being delivered. An unequivocal consensus has not been reached as to whether the vaccination should be given once or twice a season.

There exists considerable doubt concerning the safety of the adjuvanted active amplifier since it is being used for the first time. The vaccine contains 27.4mg AS03, an emulsion of polysorbate, squalene and tocopherol. Sufficient studies are lacking, because in the test phase, only the development of antibody titers was determined as a surrogate criterion, and not any potential adverse reactions.

The producer as well as government agencies have concealed the fact that squalene, if used subcutaneously or intramuscularly is an inflammatory immune activation immunogen, unlike when ingested. (Squalene is, among other things, for example, naturally contained in olive oil.)

Autoimmune diseases can be provoked by squalene; already existing ones can be activated. Squalene has been connected with the emergence of Guillan-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and is now considered a trigger for Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). In animal studies squalene brought on rheumatoid arthritis.

Squalene from food sources is mainly incorporated into membranes in the body. The production of squaline antibodies resulting from an immunization sets off chronic inflammation of the membranes, which explains diseases such as Gulf War Syndrome and also degenerative neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Guillan-Barré Syndrome.

The delivery of vaccine in multiple dose ampules is obsolete. In single dose ampules the mercury used for preservation, as in thimerosal – which is included in Pandemrix – would be unnecessary. Also, mercury has been proven to set off autoimmune diseases.

Since the vaccine has not been tested on either young children or pregnant women (Ethics Commission objection), the call to give preference in the first phase of vaccination to precisely this particularly endangered segment of the population represents an improper and totally unjustifiable field test.

The vaccine poses a higher risk than the swine flu itself for patients with environmental illness and for patients with compromised immune systems (e.g. AIDS).

The vaccine producer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), according to the contract with the BRD, is largely exempt from liability. In case of damage from the vaccination, the affected vaccinee would have to sue the government and therefore the country of Germany, usually a futile exercise.

To avoid the trap of liability, the doctor giving the vaccination must meticulously inform the patient of all risks concerning the vaccination and the vaccine. It is recommended to give this information in the presence of an assistant and to have it be confirmed by the patient’s signature. The explanation should also include the liability features. Also the indication that other, lower risk vaccines are available in Europe and that due to a faulty decision by the German government, they are currently not available to the German population. This information should definitely be included in the explanation.


Read More HERE

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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

**Exclusive - MHRA Launch Pilot Scheme to Push for More ADR's to be Reported.


Image: wikimedia.com


As a long time critic of the MHRA's Yellow Card reporting system, credit where credit is due, I have to applaud their latest pilot scheme. I think it shows that the MHRA are aware that the Yellow Card system needs work and, it would appear, that they are actually doing something about it.

Back in October, they launched the scheme with the launch of video advertisements in doctors surgeries, and promotional activity to GPs and other primary care professionals at Primary Care Live (a big conference/exhibition in London).

Simon Gregor, MHRA Communications Director, told me, "The campaign is not in one specific area in the UK, but we are working with particular groups of surgeries. For the leaflets, we are working with those surgeries which use something called the IDS leaflet system, which is a means of getting the YC leaflets into the surgeries. There are 6000 surgeries which use this system, and we are aiming to distribute leaflets through all of them."

He added, "For the video, we are using a service called the Life Channel, which has a presence in 400 GP surgeries."

Some of the key points of this scheme are thus:

 The MHRA has a responsibility and is committed to continually promoting the use of the YCS as a means of gathering information on side effects to medicines.

 The YCS was officially extended to members of the public in February 2008, following a successful pilot.

 Data from reporting volumes demonstrate a clear link between periods of campaigning raising awareness and numbers of reports received.

 MHRA have embarked upon a campaign to further raise awareness amongst members of the public and health professionals.

 For the public campaign MHRA are producing leaflets for pharmacy and general practice, a 30 second video explaining the scheme to patients will be shown on the Life Channel and use of the public media is planned. We are also linking the Yellow Card Scheme website to more external sites such as NHS Choices.

 For the health professional campaign MHRA will be increasing its presence at professional meetings by having exhibition stands to promote the Scheme. The priority area will be conferences attended by primary care workers such as Primary care live and Royal College of GPs annual meeting.

 In both campaigns key message will be to report side effects online.

 Results will be measured by increased reporting from the target groups and increased proportion of online reports.

Here is the ad.




It will be interesting to see how this pans out, Simon Gregor has promised to relay any results to me once the scheme runs its course and we shall be meeting again in the early part of next year to discuss the findings of the scheme.

I will, as always, keep you all posted.

Fid

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SSRi's and Alcohol


Image: freedigitalphotos.net



"We suggest that antidepressant product warnings regarding alcohol, hitherto non-specific and unhelpful, will need to be reconsidered."


An interesting pdf file was sent to me from a fellow advocate last night. I only have the summary but it throws light on the subject of consuming alcohol whilst on SSRi's.

The findings:

from
Abstracts of the 9th World Congress of Biological Psychiatry, Paris, June 2009

P-10-004
Violence as a side - effect of antidepressants: Provocation by alcohol
David Menkes
University of Auckland, Waikato Clinical School, Hamilton, New Zealand
Andrew Herxheimer

Objectives: Based on case-reports and epidemiological data, we reported the rare induction of serious violence by antidepressant treatment (PLoS Med 3(9): e372). Given alcohol’s prevalence and tendency to disinhibit behaviour, we studied its association with SSRI-induced violence.

Methods: We analyzed some 200 cases drawn from our medicolegal practices, web-based patient discussion lists, and ADR reports to government authorities in Canada and the USA. Assessment was based on standard criteria for drug-effect causality (CIOMS), taking into account apparent sources of bias.

Results: A distinct syndrome of uncharacteristic disinhibition with alcohol was detected in 40 individuals of either sex during treatment with SSRIs or venlafaxine. Outcomes included 12 homicides (2 of which were double), suicide, serious assault, unintended sexual intercourse, and other damaging or markedly embarrassing social behaviour. In the majority of cases, memory for the episode was lacking, often completely so. For most individuals, modest or usual amounts of alcohol were involved, with evidence that these had been well tolerated before antidepressant treatment,and after its discontinuation (challenge-dechallenge). In several cases, re-exposure to the same or related antidepressant reproduced the phenomenon (rechallenge).

Conclusions: We identify a distinct and forensically important interaction between alcohol and SSRI antidepressants. Aggregated pharmacovigilance data (in preparation) corroborate the existence of this phenomenon. We suggest that antidepressant product warnings regarding alcohol, hitherto non-specific and unhelpful, will need to be reconsidered.

Fid

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Tuesday, November 03, 2009

UK Regualtor and Pfizer: From the silver screen to the small screen.

Earlier this year [Jan 2009] I wrote about the launch of an advertising campaign in cinemas across Britain that featured an advertisement regarding the safety of buying drugs online. The advert showed a man opening a package which contained a packet of pills, he opens the pills, swallows one then seconds later is seen pulling a dead rat from his mouth... this to symbolize how dangerous it is buying drugs online.

Today, the MHRA have announced that the ad is coming to the smaller screen [Television] and the 30 second or so ad will be screened after 11pm because it is 'considered so shocking'.

The ad was made from the money of Pfizer, no coincidence that Pfizer's biggest competitors are those online websites that sell Viagra... or am I just being cynical?

One only has to type the word 'Viagra' into Google to see the competition Pfizer face. [HERE]

Genius marketing spin would have us believe that Pfizer are genuinely concerned for the public taking fake pills. Is the real concern here driven by profits falling?

It's nice to see the regulator talking with advocates but working alongside pharmaceutical companies kind of leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Here is the ad that ran in cinemas up and down the country earlier this year.




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Today in Parliament


Pic: parliamentlive.tv

Source: Parliament TV


Introduction



The Lord Bishop of Lichfield will be introduced.


*The Earl of Sandwich


to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that doctors and pharmaceutical companies fully recognise the long-term side effects of prescribed tranquillisers and anti-depressants, and the nature of withdrawal symptoms.


Watch it from 2.30 pm [GMT] on Parliament TV HERE


Hat - Tip: Ruth

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Monday, November 02, 2009

Survey Shows Consumers Take Pot Luck When Buying Herbal Medicines


Image: responsesource.com


A survey conducted by consumer website www.herbfacts.co.uk reveals that 64 percent of the participants believe all herbal medicines to be as safe as OTC medicines. But 82 percent do not know how to identify which ones have been independently assessed and approved for sale by UK governing body, the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Source HERE

I think that anyone who puts a herb or prescription pill in their mouth [even over the counter pills] are pretty much taking pot luck - vaccines too!

Fid

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Switzerland restricts use of GlaxoSmithKline swine flu vaccine


Image: justgetthere.us


Some recent swine flu articles that reached me over the weekend.

Switzerland restricts use of GlaxoSmithKline swine flu vaccine.

Psyorg reports:

Switzerland restricted the use of British drugs group GlaxoSmithKline's swine flu vaccine Pandemrix, excluding pregnant women, minors and people over the age of 60.

They add:

The regulatory authority Swissmedic said it had received data on the vaccine for adults, but not for pregnant women and very little data for children.
"For this reason, Swissmedic has not yet authorised the administration of Pandemrix to pregnant women, children under the age of 18 and adults over 60," the regulator said in a statement.

More HERE



Evie Pringle's 5th instalment 'Profit Driven Swine Flu Propaganda - Pump Up the Volume' is now available and focuses largely on mercury and the H1N1 vaccines.

She writes:

Most American are unaware that flu vaccines still contain thimerosal and that to avoid mercury, they have to ask for mercury-free shots. On November 13, 2007, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran the headline: "Most flu shots contain mercury, but few know it."

More HERE



Finally, Medpage Today is running a survey that poses the question:

Does Vaccine Fear Put Kids at Risk?

In some school districts, half of parents are unwilling to have their children vaccinated against the H1N1 pandemic flu, despite the fact that children are among the hardest hit by this flu.

As of 10am GMT, 2ND November 2009, the results are pretty much neck and neck.

The survey asks...

Is a reluctance to vaccinate children?

Here are the results thus far:




CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE


Fid

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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Sunday, November 01, 2009

UK ADDICTION

An article that has appeared in the Independent newspaper has been sent to me. Thanks to Truthman, Ruth, Cyndi.

It is a report on Britain's epidemic of pill addiction. The Independent writes:

"The Department of Health has launched a review of the million-plus patients addicted to prescribed drugs in the UK in a tacit admission that attempts to control the problem over the last two decades have failed."

The article adds;

On Tuesday, Lord Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich, is to seek details of the Government review in the House of Lords and will say how the problem of addiction has impacted his own family.

He said: “Since January a member of my family has been suffering from acute withdrawal from this prescribed drug [a benzodiazepine]: his dreadful symptoms mean he is confined to his room, unable to work and attend to his family. He receives no government or medical support because there is none.”

A familiar story to those of us that are or ever have been hooked on antidepressants. Remember, SSRi's are not addictive, at least according to the manufacturers and medicines regulator. Benzo's are addictive, for some time now many advocates have been saying the same about SSRi's. Will it take a a member of the Knighthood to highlight the dangers of SSRi's because one of his family members has been affected by them?

The BNF is a guidebook for doctors, it is updated every six months. The current information for benzo's is pretty thorough whilst the information for guidance on SSRi withdrawal is poor, in fact it is very poor.

I cannot go into too much detail but there are movements behind the scenes, the wheels have already been set in motion to edit the poor guidance in the BNF.

Are SSRi's addictive?

The difficulty here lies in those individuals who make claims that 'they had no trouble withdrawing' - I don't dispute that they did but it appears that the MHRA treat these sort of anecdotal reports with a gold star whilst reports of patients suffering withdrawal are currently logged and... well, that's pretty much it.

Last week, Janice Simmons of the Seroxat User Group and I met with the Communications Director of the MHRA, Simon Gregor. I have previously wrote about that meeting here.

We covered the 'addiction' problem quite extensively. Where the MHRA are failing [and they know it] is the system set up to report adverse drug reactions [Yellow Card]

The system, I believe, is not robust enough to collect and correlate data. There is NO mandatory law that states a doctor MUST report an adverse event of a drug. Patients remain largely unaware that such a reporting system exists and many doctors surgeries only carry the odd few yellow cards [normally in the back cover of the BNF]

Credit has to be given to the MHRA for realising that their system is flawed, it has taken them long enough but things are about to change. Simon told both Janice and I that a pilot scheme is soon to be set up in the UK that will try to encourage more reporting of adverse drug reactions from patients. I liked the idea and, I believe, it will improve the current system.

The MHRA are aware that the need to do more to encourage people to report adverse drug reactions is paramount [by both patients and doctors] and this 'pilot scheme' is a step in the right direction. We also spoke about the importance of a wide range of healthcare professionals being "in the loop" both on Yellow Card reporting and on new information/warnings about drugs eg pharmacists, coroners.

The pilot scheme will be launched soon and will involve a promotional push for reporting ADR's.

The failure of the Yellow Card system has been highlighted by many. Charles Medawar was banging the drum about the 'flawed system' many years ago when transparency at the MHRA didn't exist. Myself and Janice and other advocates have also heavily criticised the system over the years.

If enough people bang the drum, the MHRA will not be able to cover their ears from the noise.

I will criticise the MHRA on here and in person if they appear to be failing in certain areas and I will also applaud them if I feel they are doing right. With the pilot scheme they should take a bow. I just hope that it is not a PR exercise to stifle its critics. I genuinely believe it is not.

Fid

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'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
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