XTEND-15sec-NEWSt
10th February 2006
For this week please click on the link of interest:
GPs open up patient files to drug firms...1
The Sunday Times in Britain said in an article on the 5th Feb 2006
"A SALES representative employed by a drugs company was given access to confidential National Health Service patient records to identify those who could be given an expensive new drug to treat cholesterol.
The representative, working for Merck, was given permission by a GP to examine patients' files to identify those who might be at risk from heart disease. Medical experts said the violation of privacy was "reprehensible"."
To read the full article please click here.
Warren Matthews comments: I think that you will find the article above interesting. This is only the 'tip of the iceberg'. In another couple of months I will be doing a special issue of Xtend-Your-Life which will give you some interesting info on a similar subject.
back to top
Merck in trouble for doctoring advice...2
In case you missed it there was an article in the Financial Times and reproduced on MSNBC on the 4th Feb, which explained how Merck was in 'hot water' for 'adjusting' medical advice to encourage Doctors to prescribe an expensive patented drug for blood pressure rather than a cheaper generic version. More...
Warren Matthews comments: Well what do you know... twice in one week... no comment needed :)
back to top
Maryland Tests Experimental Bird Flu Vaccine3
(WJZ) ST. LOUIS There's encouraging news about Maryland's preparedness for the bird flu.
Doctors at University of Maryland are preparing for a groundbreaking study that could have a profound effect on the deadly bird flu virus. Baltimore is on the front lines of trying to break this virus.
The University School of Medicine will be one of four national vaccine centers testing a flu vaccine for children, a population that is especially vulnerable to the critical risks. The school has already been testing vaccines on adults in preparation for what could one day be a viscous outbreak here in the U.S. More...
Warren Matthews comments: If you are a regular reader of our newsletters you will know my view on this 'bird flu paranoia'. As for an experimental vaccine being given to children as young as 2 years old…for a virus that does not even exist…I find this unbelievable! To subject these children to risks of a vaccine let alone an experimental one is a questionable way in my opinion for researchers to justify their funding!
How on earth can they determine the effectiveness of the vaccine when the virus has not yet mutated? Are they going to mutate a virus themselves for testing? Sure hope not!
back to top
Important notice: All material provided within XTEND-15sec-NEWS is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
GPs open up patient files to drug firms (Full Article)a1
SARAH KATE TEMPLETON AND JON UNGOED-THOMAS
A SALES representative employed by a drugs company was given access to confidential National Health Service patient records to identify those who could be given an expensive new drug to treat cholesterol.
The representative, working for Merck, was given permission by a GP to examine patients' files to identify those who might be at risk from heart disease. Medical experts said the violation of privacy was "reprehensible".
The case has raised new concerns over the links between drugs companies and GPs' practices. It emerged last week that "nurse advisers" funded by drugs firms are also given routine access to confidential patient files.
Paul Flynn, the Labour MP who has campaigned against the marketing techniques used by the drugs companies, said he was concerned at the growing influence of the pharmaceutical industry on patients' prescriptions.
"People who are in the pay of the drugs industry have a vested interest in promoting drugs whether or not you actually need them," he said.
The case of the Merck representative was revealed after a complaint to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The representative's search of files identified 40 patients who might benefit from a new Merck drug, Niaspan.
Niaspan is designed to raise the level of good cholesterol in the blood, but there is limited evidence about its effectiveness. It can cost up to £29.50 a month to prescribe.
The ABPI's code of practice body upheld the complaint, saying it had brought "discredit" on the drugs industry". Other cases identified by the ABPI include: oA nurse sponsored by Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) who was given access to patient records and prescribed the firm's bestselling asthma drug, Seretide, without consulting doctors. oA nurse funded by a GSK grant who circulated bogus "guidelines" on NHS-headed notepaper that recommended the use of a GSK drug. oRepresentatives of the drugs company Wyeth who offered GPs financial inducements to prescribe its drugs.
Some doctors are particularly concerned over the role of nurse advisers, who are trained by agencies and funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Phil Johnson, the editor of Pulse, the journal for GPs, said: "There needs to be a more robust set of regulations over what is or isn't appropriate," he said.
Innovex, a company which provides nurse advisers for drugs firms, states on its website: "Nurse advisers can talk to patients about their prescriptions (and) access patient records to identify those that may benefit from a change of prescription." Innovex said it could not disclose the number of nurse advisers it employed in the NHS that were funded by drugs companies because it was commercially sensitive information. Its nurses were "not paid bonuses or commission" to boost sales of drugs.
Merck, GSK and Wyeth said they did not sanction unethical practices by their employees or sponsored staff and have taken action to avoid any similar breaches of the ABPI code.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2025628,00.html
back to top
Merck in trouble for doctoring advice (Full Article)a2
By Andrew Jack in London
Updated: 1:41 a.m. ET Feb. 4, 2006
Merck, the US pharmaceuticals company, has been found in breach of the UK drug industry's code of conduct for modifying professional advice distributed to doctors treating high blood pressure, in a way that favoured one of its own drugs.
The Prescriptions Medicines Code of Practice Authority, the UK drug industry's self-regulatory arm, will next week rule against the company for changing guidelines compiled by the British Hypertension Society (BHS), a group of medical specialists.
The incident highlights the close links between pharmaceuticals companies and professional medical associations, which have come under growing scrutiny as part of a broader examination of potential conflicts of interest when drug companies market their products.
The probe was sparked by Des Spence, a Scottish doctor who runs No Free Lunch UK, a group of doctors that lobbies for greater transparency in the links between the medical profession and drug companies.
Mr Spence became concerned about information sponsored by Merck and widely distributed among doctors that described the so-called "ABCD algorithm" for drug treatment developed by the BHS.
The algorithm advises doctors which drugs to use to treat patients based on their age, ethnic background and reaction to different treatments. It recommends the first treatment of choice should generally be ACE Inhibitors, a class of cheap generic drugs.
However, Merck paid for and distributed thousands of cards, posters and computer mouse-mats for doctors for reference in their practices, in which the order and phrasing of the recommended drugs was switched to give greater prominence to its own more expensive patented drug Cozaar, which generated nearly $3bn in sales last year.
Professor Neil Poulter, BHS president at the time, said the "switch" by Merck was "a shame and an error". A non-medical employee of the BHS at the time had authorised the change at the company's suggestion.
Merck UK said it would not be appealing.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11166622/
back to top
Maryland Tests Experimental Bird Flu Vaccinea3
(WJZ) ST. LOUIS There's encouraging news about Maryland's preparedness for the bird flu.
Doctors at University of Maryland are preparing for a groundbreaking study that could have a profound effect on the deadly bird flu virus. Baltimore is on the front lines of trying to break this virus.
The University School of Medicine will be one of four national vaccine centers testing a flu vaccine for children, a population that is especially vulnerable to the critical risks. The school has already been testing vaccines on adults in preparation for what could one day be a viscous outbreak here in the U.S.
WJZ'S Alex DeMetrick spoke to a doctor at the University of Maryland Medical Center. "I think people are worried it's (human to human transfer of Avian Flu) coming, and they'd like to have their children protected, and this is the only vaccine available." said Dr. James Campbell.
The announcement was made that the U.S. will pledge $334 Million in the fight against the bird flu, joining other nations in a fight where the stakes are high.
In the next few months 120 children ages two through nine will be given the test vaccine. Other U.S. cities participating in the vaccine tests include St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles.
The bird flu virus has already killed at least 77 people since 2003, none in U.S.
Health officials say the first line of defense right now against the bird flu is the vaccine "tamiflu".
http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_018074643.html
back to top
