At least 200 terminally-ill people from Australia, Britain, New Zealand and the United States have visited Mexico since 2001 to buy a euthanasia drug, a newspaper has reported. The Mexican newspaper Reforma cited Exit International - the mercy killing organisation run by Australian euthanasia advocate Phillip Nitschke that promotes Mexico as a destination for patients seeking to end their lives. "On the basis of Exit research, the best places to visit are the 20-odd (United States-Mexico) border crossings, from Tijuana in California through to Matamoros on the Gulf of Mexico," the group says on its website.
A pill to erase bad memories. Doesn't it just sound so tempting? Surely everyone in the midst of a painful breakup has fantasised about wiping out all recollection of the relationship, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-style? In reality, the drug in the news today is more likely to be used to help those suffering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder after devastating experiences such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, or other emotional problems. But the idea of tampering with the inner workings of the mind has raised concerns about the psychological consequences for individuals involved, and even the potential practical effects on society.
Aims: This Handbook represents initial good practice guidance and resources to help PCTs to review current decision-making processes about the funding of medicines with co-operation from Provider Trusts and other stakeholders. Intended audience: Healthcare professionals. Publication history information: Published February 2009. Access: Available to the general public.
Thousands of patients are suing AstraZeneca in US courts, claiming the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel caused weight gain and diabetes. The patients allege Seroquel, its second biggest selling drug worth $4.5bn (£2.7bn) a year, was marketed without adequate warning about possible side effects such as massive weight gain and the development of diabetes. However, this is denied by the company.
This article examines the implications for patient care, and for the future of rationing within the NHS, of the recent decision to permit NHS patients to supplement their care by paying for medicines — mainly expensive new cancer drugs — which are not available within the NHS. The starting point is the recommendations of the Richards' Report and their implementation through new guidance issued by the DoH and NICE. Practical challenges arise from the insistence upon the 'separate' delivery of self-funded medicines, and more flexible cost-effectiveness thresholds for end of life medicines may have repercussions for other patients. While undoubtedly part of the trend towards explicit rationing, top-up fees might also represent a significant step towards regarding the NHS as a core, basic service. Finally, the issue of top-up fees is located within the broader context of current cancer research priorities and persisting health inequalities.
US drug regulators have rescinded approval of a breast cancer drug, saying it is not effective enough to justify the risks of taking it. The drug, Avastin, was approved for US use in 2008, but UK officials have also rejected claims that it prolongs life.
Jackson provides a meticulously argued, extensively researched and utterly compelling critique of the current regulation of phar- maceuticals. Her account of a medicine’s journey through the regulatory system in the UK paints a frightening picture of the widespread, predatory activities of profit-seeking pharmaceutical companies and the systematic failure of law and regulation effectively to hold them to account. The UK, with its well developed and well financed pharmaceutical industry and equally well entrenched tradition of state-run health care, provides a particularly fine case study for the exploration of the tension between the ideals of medicine and the pursuit of profit and, as such, it is to be hoped that this book will gain a wide, international audience.
Medical alarms & personal emergency response systems blog from ResponseLINK. The ResponseLINKed blog has information on medical alarms for patients, caregivers & healthcare professionals. Read about medical alarms and discuss medical alarms at the ResponseLINKed Blog
When does this behavior become inappropriate, causing the patient to be labeled a drug seeker? Clearly, there is no agreement on the definition of drug seeking.
Provides information on the patient assistance programs that are established by prescription drug manufacturers. These programs are designed to help those who can't afford their medicines obtain them at no cost or low cost...