Black Triangle
Welcome to Black Triangle, homepage of Anthony Cox.
Pharmaceutical related talk about medicines, adverse drug reactions. medication errors and marketing...
Of course you may be looking for the world famous Weapons of Mass Destruction 404 error page or the T-shirt of Mass Destruction. Did I hack Google to accomplish this feat? No, it's more interesting than that.
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Blog
Friday, February 28, 2003
So how easy is it to dupe people with New Age mumbo jumbo? The Crystal Chamber purported to sell homeopathic crystals. 'Thus, crystals that nature has "contaminated" with minuscule amounts of rare crystalline materials that are known to have negative effects can become beneficial homeopathic crystals.'When someone attacked this theory they found plenty of defenders. However The Crystal chamber was a spoof site, set up precisely to see how gullible people could be. Learn more about this at the New Scientist.posted by Anthony Cox at 10:51 PM | permalink
Herbs. Natural. Sent to us from Nature. Harmless? The FDA has today taken action to control the risk attached to use of Ephedra. "Although the overall evidence suggests that serious adverse events from ephedra appear to be infrequent," said Dr. McClellan, "we know that such events can be very serious and possibly fatal. We believe that the current scientific evidence strongly suggests that at least some ephedra products present an unreasonable risk. "
posted by Anthony Cox at 10:29 PM | permalink
Post hoc analysis of data from the Digitalis Investigation Group (DIG) trial shows that large doses of Digoxin may be harmful in heart failure.
posted by Anthony Cox at 1:04 AM | permalink
New Zealand pharmacologists call for direct to consumer advertising to be banned.
posted by Anthony Cox at 12:59 AM | permalink --------------------
Thursday, February 27, 2003
When touring the promotional stands of drug companies at conferences, perhaps you wonder what the representatives are thinking? Now you don't have to:You can spot the experienced exhibition delegates a mile off. They are the ones who head straight to the stand that is giving away carrier bags bearing a company logo. They then sweep through the hall locust-like, filling the bag with free pens, cups and five year old breath-mints, justifying their kleptomaniac tendencies by saying, "It's for my children, you know. They wouldn't forgive me if I didn't take something back for them." Thanks to www.ukmedicalrep.info, but remember there is no free lunch.posted by Anthony Cox at 6:11 PM | permalink
So are drugs adverts 'reliable and accurate' as the Director General of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry suggests? Or are they 'not'? Hold on to your 'hat', but it would be perhaps best to maintain some healthy skepticism.
posted by Anthony Cox at 6:04 PM | permalink --------------------
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Thiomersal, a preservative used in vaccines and bugbear of the anti-vaccinators, has been given a clean bill of health [PDF] by the Committee on Safety of Medicines: 'Three new studies reinforce CSM advice from 2001 that there is no evidence of neurological adverse effects caused by thiomersal in vaccines according to the routine UK immunisation schedule. The balance of benefits and risks of thiomersal-containing vaccines therefore remains overwhelmingly positive.'posted by Anthony Cox at 11:32 PM | permalink
Interesting article in JAMA today. Focus groups conducted with physicians and patients looked at attitudes towards disclosure of medical errors. Patients want apologies and emotional support from doctors, but doctors are concerned about legal liability. Although doctors wanted to tell patients about their errors, they often 'chose their words carefully.' The study also suggests doctors often avoided explaining why an error occurred, although I think they may not be in the best position to do so when in this stressful position. Doctors wanted emotional support following errors, but did not know where to turn.
posted by Anthony Cox at 9:47 PM | permalink --------------------
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