DRUGS

art by Colin Downes-Grainger  www.actionminddrugs.org.uk

Photo courtesy of http://pharmagossip.blogspot.com

This is what we used to have in Cough Syrup! And I'll bet they told us it was non-addictive and without side-effects.

For information and links about pharmaceutical companies, go to:

http://pharmagossip.blogspot.com

To read about...a drug company now appointing a lawyer for its CEO...how corporate lear jets are being tracked to see whether they really

do fly for business...

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If you think that government legislation and offices always have your interests at heart...you might be disappointed.

Even in the UK there is a conflict of interest. Advisors and academics are often on the payroll of pharmaceutical companies.

REPORT ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS

As of October 2005 patients in the UK may now report any adverse effects of drugs they have taken.

Go to www.yellowcard.gov.uk

Complaints about the Yellow Card system have been around for over 15 years. Doctors are notorious for not reporting

any suspected side-effect. Sometimes due to a fear of litigation.

This illustrates how we can have 'fail safe' systems in place, but there is always the human element. When they used to

say we have a yellow card reporting system, they didn't mention that most doctors had never filled one in.

According to official statistics, drugs and medical mistakes affect thousands of people every year.

Which is why I did a double-take and had to laugh when I saw these colourful pots for sale in a popular store in New York.

Why is it we can have warnings such as these (is it the paint under the glaze that is the risk?) on pots and nothing on food and drink

 containing aspartame, msg, tartrazine, fluoride etc. not to mention drugs?

How is it the CSM in the UK can recommend the use of nicotine patches for pregnant women in place of smoking...when the

manufacturers say they are to be avoided during pregnancy?...or perhaps it's just that I'm missing something!

My concerns over nicotine replacement patches being used during pregnancy, has been intensified after receiving an autopsy

report from a mother whose child died. The mother's exposure during pregnancy included one course of antibiotics and

Nicabate chewing gum. She did not see the small print on the packet.