“Selling Sickness” Two-day Pharmaceutical Conference

“Selling Sickness” Two-day Pharmaceutical Conference - October 7-8 in Amsterdam

Healthy Skepticism (Netherlands) is hosting a two-day conference called “Selling Sickness” on October 7-8 in Amsterdam. The conference is designed for everyone with an interest in pharmaceutical information and promotion including: health professionals, policy makers, staff of government health and regulatory departments, inspectors, staff of pharmaceutical, advertising and public relations companies, staff of NGOs and journalists.

Conference topics:

· What is selling sickness and is it for real?

· What new methods are being used?

· Learning from documented examples

· Who pays the bill?

· Redesigning the system?

· The need for new regulations and guidelines

· New responsibilities for main stakeholders?

Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman will be presenting at one of the “poster sessions.” Our presentation is entitled “Secret Pharmaceutical Company Documents Obtained in Litigation: Revelations and Release in the Interest of Public Health,” based on two decades of our firm’s pharmaceutical product liability litigation experience. Poster sessions create an opportunity to share and debate a wide range of views consistent with the theme of this conference.

What: Selling Sickness International Conference
When: October 7-8, 2010
Where: Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam

The conference is sponsored by:

The Dutch Ministry of Health and Health Care Inspectorate
Healthy Skepticism International
Co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe.

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Book Editing - 'The Evidence, However, Is Clear...The Seroxat Scandal'

Image: pubmart.com

Working alongside my book editor has opened many doors for me. With her guidance she has showed me the many errors that appeared in the original manuscript.

I spent a total of 15 or so hours on my manuscript last week before returning it to her.

We are now on 'Stage 2'

My editor will go through the entire manuscript again then return to me.

This will continue until we are both pleased with the outcome.

Once we reach that stage, my manuscript is sent off to my publisher and the printing begins.

I'd like to thank all those that have sent me comments to be included at the front of the book. Your support is truly appreciated and your comments are very humbling.

Thank you.

In the meantime, here is the promo video for the book.



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New Interview with Shelley Jofre regarding Seroxat.

Image: bbc.co.uk

Donal McIntyre talks to Investigative journalist Shelley Jofre about how she exposed the hidden truths behind the so called wonder drug Seroxat and how her investigation brought about change to the way the drug is now prescribed.

Catch it now on BBC IPlayer

**The interview will be online for 7 days.

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GSK - 'There's no business like monkey business'

Copyright:  http://directaction4.info

The following should sicken even those who believe they have a cast iron stomach.

Ed Silverman, who writes the popular 'Pharmalot' website, is reporting that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] has written GlaxoSmithKline to complain about the alleged treatment of monkeys at a company from which the drugmaker has purchased animals for use in clinical trials.

Ed writes:

A few weeks ago, photos from inside Primate Products were leaked to the media, including the NBC affiliate in Miami, where Primate Products has a ‘live animal’ facility and protesters subsequently gathered (see this).

“The primates in the leaked photographs were literally ripped apart. They suffered from large, open head and neck wounds that had been crudely sutured together. They were also missing large patches of hair and had gaping bloody holes in their scalps and limbs. These serious injuries may have resulted from self-mutilation, experimental procedures, or fights between animals who had been improperly housed. PPI has confirmed that the photographs are authentic,” PETA wrote to Glaxo ceo Andrew Witty in an email last week (here are the photos).

A Glaxo spokeswoman says the drugmaker has not purchased animals from Primate Products since 2006. However, Justin Goodman, who is PETA’s associate director for laboratory investigations, says this document (see page 2) indicates Glaxo sent 45 monkeys to Primate Products this past summer.

FULL SHOCKING STORY OVER AT PHARMALOT

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Pills, Patients and Profits - W5 Investigates [CANADA]

© Photographer: Markgab

Before I started writing about and researching pharma, I actually believed pretty much everything they said. As a victim of a pharmaceutical drug, Seroxat, I have researched and written about the industry and the way it is regulated for almost 5 years.

Nothing shocks me anymore.

On Saturday 25 September, "Pills, Patients and Profits" was aired on Canadian television, an hour long documentary about patients who are left vulnerable because they cannot afford life saving drugs.

One striking moment, for me at least, in this hour long programme, was the claims of Dr Marcia Angel of a professor at Harvard University.

According to drug companies, finding "miracles" costs around a billion dollars per drug. However, Marcia Angel disputes this:

"It's entirely ficticious.

What they are trying to do, they are trying to convince people that they have to pay high prices for prescription drugs to cover astronomical R & D costs, that simply isn't true."

Angel goes on to say that the cost of creating a new drug is in the region of $100 million, still a lot of money but quite a way off the figure the industry would have us believe.

According to Angel, the drug companies have inflated their costs by 1000%.

Dr Marcia Angel isn't the only critic, as the video shows.

To watch the hour long programme for yourselves - visit the CTV News page.

The documentary has been uploaded in four parts.

Part One:

Are drugs companies profiting from the sick? Every year, thousands of Canadians are denied drugs that could save their lives because the government says they can't afford it. Drug companies say it's the price paid for producing miracles.

Part Two:

Drug companies say the cost of producing one 'miracle' drug is over $1 billion but critics say the costs are exaggerated and the number is actually around $100 million for a new drug. What is the correct number?

Part Three:

W5's Victor Malarek examines one multiple myeloma patient's struggle to receive his needed medication and how old drugs that provide new results are still costly.

Part Four:

Some patients in need of life saving drugs are denied simply because they are not available in their province. One Maritimer discovered that not all Canadians get the same drug treatments.

VIDEO & SUMMARY


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ACAI BERRY SUPPLEMENTS - CAN THEY HELP SSRI WITHDRAWAL?

Acai Berry: Can it help reduce antidepressant withdrawal problems?

Over the past year or so I have heard some anecdotal claims that the Acai berry [pronounced Ah-Si-ee] has helped people who have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms from SSRi type drugs.

Always one to learn of help for withdrawal sufferers, I started to research Acai and it's apparent claims.

Although I am not withdrawing from any SSRi drug, I decided to write a brief email to Gavin Curtis at acai-berryuk.com. I told him that I was interested in any anecdotal or scientific claims that Acai can help people withdraw more easily from antidepressants.

Although Gavin had no scientific data to prove that it could reduce withdrawal symptoms from SSRi tapering, he did point me to some comments left around the internet:

Posted 20 October 2007 - 11:29 AM
I have heard that the Acai Berry has helped those with depression and even made it possible for some to get off their meds. Does anyone have any experiences with this? I know it sounds too good to be true and it probably is.


Posted 18 November 2007 - 01:09 AM
I have been taking acai berries for 2 days now and I have noticed a substantial difference. I have had depression for 8 years and been on all kinds of meds for about 4 years. The acai juice that I am using has helped with energy, sadness, anger, and has helped clear my mind. My mom bought the drink for me because one of her friends was very depressed for 2 years and finally was treated by a doc who prescibed her some meds as well as told her how well the acai juice works for depressed patients.


Posted 12 December 2007 - 08:24 PM
Well, I don't know about acai specifically, but perhaps feeding your body really nutritious and health promoting natural foods (like acai) may help alleviate depression because in doing so, you may feel physically better, and that feeling may in fact affect your mental state. who knows?

I know that I feel much much MUCH better when I treat my body right, and I'm not talking rigorous exercise and strict dieting. I'm talking natural, organic foods, mostly raw, and some stretching and yoga. When I treat my body like this (with love), it reminds my mind that I'm "worth it" and I feel positive about myself.


Posted 13 December 2007 - 07:39 PM
I've actually read a couple web sites that said acai berries were helpful for improving mood. (No they weren't sites trying to sell it). I, myself, haven't tried it/them, but it could be worth a shot. Sounds like they're good for you anyway.

These comments tallied up with two stories I had been sent from readers of Seroxat Sufferers. One was by proxy, from my girlfriend in Canada. We spoke on the phone and she told me of her friends daughter who had been taking Paxil [Canadian brand name for Seroxat] - She was struggling withdrawal symptoms and was told about the Acai berry. She purchased the juice form and over a period of a week or so found the withdrawal symptoms subsiding.

With this in mind, and the anecdotal comments left on the internet, I decided to prompt Gavin Curtis for more answers as a lot of the mainstream websites seemed to be promoting the Acai berry as some miracle cure for all sorts of things ranging from dramatic weight loss to cancer to slowing down the age process.

Gavin told me: "To be honest, in my opinion, this product is just beginning to show what it can do. Unfortunately, it has been marred recently on the interent with scam artists and poor quality products that give little effect. Its unfortunate as it puts some people off."

Gavin then offered to send me a sample, which I have been taking in capsule form for the past week.

There are many claims that the Acai berry can help people who suffer with arthritis and high cholesterol and seeing as I was diagnosed with Bi-lateral Osteoarthritis over 10 years ago, and more recently with high cholesterol, I decided to give them a bash.

There are no chemicals in the capsules. The powder, contained in the capsule, writes acai-berryuk, consists of several types of fatty acids like Omega 6 or Omega 9. These fatty acids are commonly found in various sea foods or olive oil. These fatty acids have proven effective to reduce different kinds of cancer. These also consist of phytosterols which is mostly found in nuts, grains, beans and seeds. It also helps in promoting prostate and urinary health. acai berry capsules also contains several types of amino acids which are good to get good strength. The amino acids help in providing additional strength, development and endurance to the body. It really helps in the detoxification of body which is necessary to keep away various diseases.

I'm more interested in the 'de-toxification' than anything else. If this simple berry from the Amazon Rainforest can provide relief for the thousands [millions] of people who suffer severe withdrawal symptoms with antidepressants, then we could have a major breakthrough here. Let's face it, we, as patients, have never received any help from the pharmaceutical companies or medicine regulators with withdrawal techniques, have we?

So, we have to weigh up the benefit Vs risk ratio here - How many times have we heard that line touted by medicine regulators and pharmaceutical companies?

Way I see it, the only known side-effect from ingesting too much of the berry, be it in liquid or powder/capsule form, is diarrhoea - If you were to eat citrus fruits all day then you'd get diarrhoea.

Alleged benefits include; helps reduce fat and to reduce the level of cholesterol, helps to purify the blood, helps to flush out bad toxins from your body, helps detox and purify our internal system, gives you more energy and helps you sleep better, contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Acai contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, iron, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

One week

I've been taking four capsules daily for exactly one week now, the first three days saw no drastic change. I still woke at unearthly hours, still needed a power nap in the afternoon, had no desire to cut down on what I ate.

One week later and I don't feel the need to take an afternoon nap. Placebo effect or does the Acai berry really work?


There are many readers of Seroxat Sufferers who are still struggling with SSRi medication. I'm not endorsing this product nor do I urge you to take it because it may help you taper more easily, the only evidence is anecdotal.

There is a huge SSRi withdrawal problem that is largely refuted by pharma and regulators world-wide. If a natural berry from the rainforest can help ease suffering then the help that we, as patients/consumers of these drugs, may be just one click away.

If you are interested in trying this supplement then Gavin Curtis has offered readers of this blog a special discount.

10% Discount Voucher - 931-623-876-999

Buy Acai Berry

**Sometime in the future, I will be writing an article on another supplement that may be beneficial to those suffering SSRi withdrawal.

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CAN SUPPLEMENTS HELP WITH SSRI WITHDRAWAL?

Image: healthline.com

Soon I will be writing about a supplement I have been experimenting with over the past week. Much has been written about this particular supplement and its promotion across the internet is viral. It makes no claims to help during SSRi withdrawal yet there are anecdotal reports that it does.

Read my review soon and decide for yourself with an exclusive 10% discount for Seroxat Sufferers readers.

Keep checking back.

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HEY, GLAXO!... LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE

GSK carrying out Paxil trials on children in Japan

I was searching through the archives of my blog tonight for research purposes and came across the Japanese/Paxil studies I wrote back in 2009.

I'm not going to repeat the posts but offer this video I created and some links for further reading.

This really should be stopped.



Further reading:

Thursday, January 15, 2009
Email to Japanese Embassy regarding New GSK paroxetine study in Children. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00812812

Friday, April 03, 2009
Japan/GSK - 329 All Over Again!

Friday, April 03, 2009
Email to Ministry of Health - Japan

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Any News on the Paxil Kids Yet?

Friday, May 21, 2010
EMAIL TO GLAXOSMITHKLINE RE; PAXIL STUDY IN CHILDREN

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Email to the Japanese Drug Regulator [Re; Paxil Clinical Trial in Japan]

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GSK CHANGE WEB PAGE - NO APOLOGY FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY AVANDIA

One would have thought with the hundreds of thousands that have fallen victim to Avandia, that the company who manufactured it [GlaxoSmithKline] would have, at the very least, offered some form of apology.

Not so, if recent changes to the GSK website are anything to go by.

Visit gsk.com today and see a completely new web page:

GSK Homepage with Avandia revamp.

They even have a video featuring their Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ellen Strahlman. Again, no apology.

In fact the statement from Strahlman is littered with the kind of phrases that this company has rolled out time and time again when brought to task over its products.

"All medicines have risks as well as benefits."

"We believe that Avandia has helped millions of people manage their diabetes, and that it is a safe and effective treatment option when used appropriately."

"At GSK patient safety comes first."

The best being:

"If you are someone with type 2 Diabetes taking any of these medicines, again please, do not stop taking your medicine, but contact your healthcare professional at your earliest convenience to discuss the impact of these decisions on your treatment."


It's almost as if they are sticking two fingers up to the regulator [hey, can't say I blame them there]

No apology.

GlaxoSmithKline's corporate motto is "DO MORE, FEEL BETTER, LIVE LONGER"

I'm beginning to wonder if the corporate motto is aimed at GSK staff rather than the public.

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Lizzy Feels The Heat...Or Not, As The Case May Be.

Image: ginogalea.com

Queen Elizabeth, dear old Lizzy, has, it seems, been refused an anti-poverty grant to help heat her palaces.

Nope, it isn't April 1st folks.

This is 21st century Britain at its very best.

One of Lizzie's senior aides wrote to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2004 to ask if the Queen would be eligible for a handout from a £60m energy-saving fund, according to a bulletin on AOL News.

Documents, obtained by The Independent newspaper under the terms of The Freedom of Information Act, show that the application for a grant to replace four combined heat and power (CHP) units at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle was turned down in August 2004.

Poor Lizzy Wizzy.

I wonder if she would like to swap places with me for a week or so?

Dear Liz,


In the interests of keeping you as snug as a bug in a rug, you can stop at my one-bed council flat. The electric and gas may need topping up with my pre-paid cards though and the only butler service you would get would be a Chinese or Indian take-away delivered to the door. Sadly, you would have to open the cartons and dish it up yourself, I'll make sure my plates and spoons are clean... I will borrow the washing up liquid from my neighbour as I have ran out.

Sadly, I have no garden but my tumble dryer will be sufficient should you wish to dry your smalls. Failing that, you could do as I do and put them on the clothes horse.

My sheets will be clean and crispy but you will have to share my bed with my dog, he is a cross Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback so leave the Corgis at the palace please.

You are more than welcome to bring your husband along, word of advice though, my neighbour is black and often plays reggae music.

I'll leave instructions on the fridge regarding the operation of the central heating, cooker, washing machine, kettle, taps.

I've left a piece of paper on my desk, it has your image on Liz and a £ symbol, and number 5. It's currency and enables you to buy things. My local shopkeeper is just a 5 minute walk from my flat, once again, should you bring your husband, the shopkeeper is Asian. This £5 has come out of my weekly budget and has left me short but you are my Queen so I am prepared to make that sacrifice.

My dog needs four walks a day, the pooper scooper is in the closet by the front door. There are no "poo bins" over the fields so you will just have to pick up the steaming mess, bag it and dispose of when you return to the flat. I'd ask you to fling it over number 226 but don't want you involved in my neighbourhood quarrels.

When you are dropped off in the Range Rover, would it be possible for me to cadge a lift to London?

Buses are pretty good around here, they run into Birmingham City centre. Birmingham is a multi-cultural city Liz so leave hubby back at the flat.

Right, I must go as I have to pack my suitcase for my stay at the palace.

Do you have Sky TV?

Yours in humbleness,

Fid

PS - You can use my phone after 6pm as all local calls are free.


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GSK's AVANDIA IS TOAST... IN EUROPE ONLY

Image: dgmslaw.com

The European Medicines Agency [EMA] announced earlier today that GlaxoSmithKline's Anti-diabetes medication, Avandia is to be taken off the market.

The EMA press statement reads:

The current review of rosiglitazone by the Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) was initiated on 9 July 2010 following the availability of new studies questioning the cardiovascular safety of the medicine.

Since its first authorisation, rosiglitazone has been recognised to be associated with fluid retention and increased risk of heart failure and its cardiovascular safety has always been kept under close review. Consequently, the use of rosiglitazone was restricted to a second-line treatment and contra-indicated in patients with heart failure or a history of heart failure when it was first granted a marketing authorisation as Avandia in 2000.

Data from clinical trials, observational studies and meta-analyses of existing studies that have become available over the last three years have suggested a possibly increased risk of ischaemic heart disease associated with the use of rosiglitazone. Further restrictions on the use of these medicines in patients with ischaemic heart disease were introduced.

So, nothing to do with Shelley Jofre's exposé, "A Risk Worth Taking?" the other week then?

The Yellow Card reports regarding Avandia's adverse effects should have raised alarm bells. If it wasn't for the tenacity of investigative journalist, Jofre, then I'm pretty sure Avandia would be being prescribed today. MHRA/EMA will argue that they knew about it before Jofre's programme - I hope they do because the next question should be, "Why didn't you do anything about it then?"

It took the courage of Cardiologist, Steven Nissen, to confront GlaxoSmithKline officials by unearthing heart risks in piles of seemingly innocuous clinical data.

Today, at least with the EMA announcement, sees Nissen's vindication and leaves Glaxo with red faces.

Remember, Glaxo made an announcement 24 hours ahead of Jofre's Avandia exposé.

On the 'secret tape' the BBC aired, Glaxo issued the following statement:

In pre-publicity materials for the programme, BBC Panorama suggests that this recording is the "secret tape the drug company would rather you didn't hear."

On Friday 3 September 2010, following the issuing of a subpoena (legal request) to Dr Nissen, GSK obtained a copy of the audio recording. The company today (6 September) posted the recording to its website www.gsk.com.

The company has taken this action so that all interested parties can hear all the comments made at this meeting in their full context.

For our part, we regret if any comments made by GSK during this meeting might be misinterpreted as seeking to stifle an independent view of the science around Avandia.

Will there be an investigation into the way Glaxo failed to disclose clinical trial data about cardiovascular risks whilst taking Avandia?

Don't hold your breath folks.

They are Glaxo, they can pretty much do as they please...because the medicine regulators let them until a half hour programme aired on the BBC by a little Scots ankle-biter starts kicking ass.

So what about Americans?

Well, apparently, the FDA are not banning it. They are allowing it to remain on the market with "new restrictions."

It comes to something when the people looking out for the patient can't even agree on whether or not a drug should be banned. Then again, the FDA are a stick of rock, bite into it and see the letters P-H-A-R-M-A written right through it.

For more on Avandia [if you are unfortunate enough to be under the junta of the FDA], read Evelyn Pringle's articles on Avandia . There's 18 of them, some written many years ago.

The regulators have no excuses this time. They, like Glaxo, knew about the risks with this drug. They sat back and touted that the benefits outweighed the risks.

Yeh, right.

In the words of Alan Partidge, "Unberbloodyleieveable"

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Did Johnson & Johnson hide birth control patch risks?

Image: audetlaw.com

Johnson & Johnson, makers of every school boys dream, Johnson's Baby Oil, have joined the ranks of those pharmaceutical companies accused of hiding data regarding one of their drugs.

MSN Health Today is reporting that Johnson & Johnson may have known years ago about the deadly risks of its birth control patch Ortho Evra.

Data from patient reports between 2002 and 2004 show a 12 percent increased risk for stroke and an 18 percent increased risk for blood clots associated with Ortho Evra, compared with the conventional birth control pill.

Apparently, internal documents obtained by NBC News, show letters from the then Vice President Dr. Patrick Caubel.

Caubel quit his post in 2005 and part of his resignation letter reads:

"I have been involved in the safety evaluation of Ortho Evra since its introduction on the market. … The estrogenic exposure [of the patch] was unusually high, as was the rate of fatalities."

MSN Health Today writes:

His letter, which was obtained by NBC, said the research was "compelling evidence" that the company ignored. Therefore, he wrote, "it became impossible for me to stay in my position as VP."

NBC's investigation also found a lawsuit by another Johnson & Johnson vice president, Dr. Joel Lippman, who is suing the company for unlawful termination after he says he blew the whistle on the patch's dangerously high levels of estrogen, even before it came to market.

The company, he says, "disregarded his concerns and launched the product anyway."

NBC is also reporting that Dr. Joel Lippman, is suing the company for wrongful termination, claiming that he was let go after he blew the whistle on the health dangers associated with the Ortho Evra patch.

You can watch the NBC bulletin HERE and read the article HERE

Hat-Tip: Susan [IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELL KEEP GOING BLOGSPOT]

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GENERATION RX - EXTENDED TRAILER

"Just for the record this is not a statement of opinion...it is fact!



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How can I stop using Paxil without the side effects?

Image: inlinethumb39.webshots.com

This is a must read, if only for the doctor's reply and the 68 comments that follow. Each day viewers are allowed to ask a CNN doctor a question. The answer, following a viewer's question, below comes from CNNHealth expert doctor Dr. Charles Raison, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University, and an expert in the mind-body connection for health.

The following was asked by Sharon Reynolds of Tampa, Florida:

I have been taking 10 mg of Paxil for nine years. I would like to get off of it but have heard of the many side effects associated with stopping it. Brain "buzzes" and various other frightening possibilities.

How can I stop Paxil without those side effects? I started taking it after a complete hysterectomy that resulted in extreme anxiety.

Expert answer:

Dear Sharon,

There is good news and bad news about your situation.

The good news is that only about 20 percent of patients who take antidepressants experience these type of withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue the medications, and when experienced, these symptoms are usually mild and resolve in a week or two.

The bad news is that you have two risk factors for experiencing an antidepressant withdrawal syndrome. First you have been on your antidepressant for an extended period. Second, you are taking Paxil (generic paroxetine) which - because of its short "half-life" in the body - is especially notorious for causing withdrawal problems. [1]

There are two very important things you can do to reduce your risk of having the type of symptoms you describe.

First, you should work closely with your health care provider. Second, you should never just stop the medication.

Probably the all-time best way to experience antidepressant withdrawal is to just suddenly stop the medication. Doing this is a shock to the nervous system, which has adjusted its neurotransmitter release based on the presence of the antidepressant.

In the case of medications like Paxil that affect serotonin, we believe most of the withdrawal symptoms are related to a sudden increase in serotonin activity for which body and brain are not prepared. [2]

The first thing a good clinician will do is closely examine whether stopping the Paxil is a good idea in the first place. If you have been on the medication for 10 years and are emotionally stable, it might be the right thing to do.

Even if it makes sense to do this, a good clinician will be carefully watching, not just for withdrawal symptoms, but also for any sign that the psychiatric condition that prompted you to take the medication in the first place isn't coming back. [3]

The most common symptoms of a Paxil withdrawal syndrome are feeling like you have the flu, often in combination with dizziness, sensory disturbances (like the buzzing you describe) and anxiety/agitation.

The trick to lowering your chances of having these symptoms is to reduce the dose of the antidepressant as slowly as possible. For people who are really sensitive it can take months to get off an antidepressant slowly enough to avoid withdrawal symptoms. [4]

But remember that most people can stop an antidepressant cold and won't have symptoms. Whether you would be similarly fortunate or more unlucky is probably not a question you should test out. Rather, I recommend starting to work with your clinician to slowly lower the dose. If you feel fine you might try lowering the dose more rapidly as it feels comfortable.

[1] Early next year sees the start of a Seroxat Group Action go to the High Court in London.The Seroxat Group Action claims which are being led by Hugh James are being pursued under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 1987. The CPA provides for a non-fault based liability if the product is found to be defective and to have caused injury as a result. The Claimants allege difficulties in withdrawing from the drug. GlaxoSmithKline are disputing this despite settling similar cases out of court in the United States.

[2] Why are all statements like this based on hypotheses? Surely Glaxo should have carried out withdrawal tests in their clinical trials?

[3] Another classic that, in the main, is believed by doctor's. "It can't be the drug, it must be the illness returning." So, if a patient has been suppressing feelings of depression for 10 years with Seroxat, why, when trying to stop the drug, is the depression still there?

[4] It can take years to taper off Seroxat, some people have tried many times and are resigned to the fact that they will be on Seroxat for the rest of their lives because the withdrawal symptoms are too unbearable. Here is a classic quote from Glaxo spokesperson, Mary Anne Rhyne:

"If ‘discontinuation reactions’ occur in patients stopping [Seroxat], the majority will experience symptoms that are mild to moderate in intensity, and are usually limited to two weeks."

If Glaxo have never carried out any withdrawal studies regarding Seroxat then how does Mary Anne Rhyne come to the conclusion that "...the majority will experience symptoms that are mild to moderate in intensity, and are usually limited to two weeks."


Now go and read the 68 comments left by Seroxat victims, which were prompted by Dr. Charles Raison's reply to Sharon Reynolds. [About 1/5 of the way down the page HERE]




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Glaxo Sued Over Exclusive Licensing Contract.

Image: contractsandagreements.co.uk

And there was me thinking it was just patients/consumers who were suing Glaxo over their Achilles Heel, Paxil?

Apparently not.

Bloomberg are reporting that Mylan Inc, a global generic and specialty pharmaceuticals company, have sued U.K. drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Apotex Inc. to stop them from selling the antidepressant Paxil CR as a generic drug, claiming the sales violate an exclusive licensing contract.

Apparently Glaxo have broke thier original contract with Mylan by allowing Apotex to sell Paxil without the label, under the chemical name paroxetine hydrochloride.

They had originally given exclusivity to Mylan.

Unlike Glaxo to be involved in such shenanigans, isn't it?

Hat-Tip: Cyndi White

FULL STORY

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VIAGRA TO BE SOLD IN TESCO STORES..."EVERY LITTLE HELPS."

I can't turn on the radio these days without hearing adverts for erectile dysfunction, case in point being the offer of help from pharma giants Lilly. 40over40 website.

In fact, I was listening to TalkSport only the other night because I couldn't sleep. The four blocks of advertising crammed into the one hour ALL carried the 40over40 advertisement. The same ad has appeared on the network channels here in the UK and caused a bit of a stink for the MHRA.

For those that don't know, Lilly manufacture the erectile dysfunction pill, Cialis.

Cialis was discovered by Glaxo Wellcome [now GlaxoSmithKline] under a partnership between Glaxo and ICOS to develop new drugs that began in August 1991. [Source]

Why were they allowing such blatant advertising of a prescription based drug?

I wrote about the 40over40 website and promotions sometime ago.

This from May earlier this year:

I pondered complaining to the MHRA but it seems they have already received a complaint about this particular ad, a complaint that they did not seem that concerned about.

** Prohibition of advertisements for medicinal products on prescription only

7. Subject to regulation 11, no person shall issue an advertisement which is likely to lead to the use of a relevant medicinal product which is a medicinal product for supply by prescription only and which is subject to any of the restrictions imposed by section 58(2) of the Act

Source: The Medicines (Advertising) Regulations 1994

Sadly, for Lilly at least, it looks like Pfizer have won the battle of the big flops according to today's Sunday Express.

In a small [oo err missus] article, they write:

TESCO is to become the first supermarket in Britain to sell viagra, it was reported last night.

It would give men the chance to buy the anti-impotence drug without a prescription.

The tablets are earmarked to go on sale at 300 UK stores from next week at the knock-down price of £52 for eight instead of the usual £55 for four.

Pfizer's advertising by proxy was clear for all to see back in January 2009 when they teamed up with the British regulator [MHRA] to make a series of ads, apparently to warn people about the dangers of buying prescription drugs online.

The ad showed a man opening a package which contained a packet of pills, he opened the pills, swallowed one then seconds later was seen pulling a dead rat from his mouth.

The voice over then stated: "Rat poison, just one of the dangerous ingredients that may be found in fake medicines purchased from illegal websites."

The message, 'GET REAL, GET A PRESCRIPTION' is then shown along with the website, realdanger.co.uk

The ad was paid for by Viagra giants Pfizer, who worked alongside the British regulator [MHRA]

To me, it was blatant advertising and the MHRA were playing a massive part in allowing a prescription drug to be promoted.

Here's the 30 second ad:



Later in 2009, November to be exact, the MHRA and Pfizer launched their combined effort in cinema's throughout the UK. I wrote about this HERE.

The fruit of the combined loins of Pfizer and the MHRA seem evident today. No longer will you have to face your doctor with your erectile dysfunction problems. Just pop along to Tesco, pick up the pills, go to the cashier [9 times out of 10 it will be a young girl] and pay the £52.

According to the MHRA website there has been a total of 1,667 reactions to Viagra, 972 of which have been adverse. Total number of fatal ADR reports: 119

The collaboration between the MHRA and the industry never ceases to amaze me.

It's time to bang some heads together of this old mob who apparently look out for the welfare of patients.

Have they heard of the street drug, "Sextasy"?

"Sextasy" is a combination of Ecstasy and Viagra.

Allowing it to be sold in a store surely goes against what the MHRA stand for?

This from mdma.net:

Clubgoers call a combination of the two drugs "sextasy" because it heightens their sexual experience. But health experts say the two drugs are a dangerous mix. Doctors warn the combo can cause heart problems and open the door to sexually transmitted diseases.

"It is extremely easy to get over Internet," Jennifer Berman said. "All you have to do is simply fill out a form. At some parties, you'll find bowls filled with Viagra, as party favors."

Well, not any more. Just head on down to Tesco, pull out a trolley, zip down the aisle, purchase your Viagra...then head out clubbing.

Nice job MHRA. You guys sure do know how to protect the public.

Oh, incidently, you can shop at Tesco online, although it is not an illegal website.



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HAIL! HAIL! Dr. MARTIN SAMUELS, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL NEUROLOGIST

Dr. Martin Samuels. [Image: boston.com]

The Boston Globe is reporting that Dr. Martin Samuels, a neurologist from Harvard Medical School, wants to provide continuing medical education to doctors across the country... WITHOUT funding from pharmaceutical companies.

Samuels was invited to a steakhouse to hear a specialist discuss treatments for multiple sclerosis and to "earn" continuing medical education credits.

Fortunately, Samuels saw right through this. He told the Globe: "The class is not education, but subtle marketing by Teva Neuroscience, a pharmaceutical maker that sells a leading multiple sclerosis drug and, according to the fine print, is paying for the evening."

From the Globe:

“Doctors have lost confidence in [continuing medical education] and the public has lost confidence,’’ said Samuels, who sees patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he heads the neurology division. “The feeling is that everything is tainted. We simply must have a new way of doing this.’’ The company’s formation will be announced today.

Hats off to Dr. Samuels for taking this stance. Hopefully, for his sake, he won't become the target of a smear campaign led by the industry or its whores.

Full story HERE

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EDM Calls for Breckenridge to Leave MHRA

Alasdair Breckenridge asked to consider his "position" at the MHRA

I just love the wording of the latest Early Day Motion [EDM] put forward by MP Jim Dobbin.

EDM 761 reads:

That this House compliments BBC Panorama and reporter Shelley Jofre for exposing the dangers of GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia; regrets the heart attacks and strokes as side effects of Avandia suffered by thousands of patients; deplores the negligence of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in again withholding safety information from patients; requests Sir Alasdair Breckenridge, Chairman of MHRA and former member of a scientific advisory board at GlaxoSmithKline, to consider his position; and calls on the Department of Health to implement the recommendations of the 2004-05 Health Select Committee Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry and in particular its recommendation for an independent review of the MHRA.

Whilst I echo Jim's sentiments here, I must, however, question the wording regarding MHRA Chairman, Alasdair Breckenridge.

Jims writes; "...requests Sir Alasdair Breckenridge, Chairman of MHRA and former member of a scientific advisory board at GlaxoSmithKline, to consider his position."

Breckenridge has a position?

Oh yeh, we all know his position.

Here is his position with regard to Seroxat:

It's taken from The New Statesman in [2005].

“If you go back – and I read this out to the Health Select Committee – to the data sheet on Seroxat when it was licensed in 1991, we spelt out word for word the problems of withdrawal from Seroxat, in words that we could not improve now. This idea that the regulators have been hiding the data is just not true. The so-called scandal of Seroxat is something I want to nail every time I speak in front of compatriots because it is absolute rubbish”.

And here is his somewhat less than convincing performance in front of the camera.

Breckenridge's performance was cringing, for those at the MHRA at least.

Red face, stuttering, long silences and staring into space whilst being grilled by BBC TV's Shelley Jofre.

Chairman? What exactly does Alasdair chair?

Breckenridge was a member of a scientific advisory committee of GSK, then SmithKline Beecham, from 1992 to 1997.

Here he is, along with GSK's Alistair Benbow, defending Seroxat.



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STOP THINKING... YOU ARE CRAZY!

Do you have ODD?

Having just finished editing the first draft of my manuscript I thought I'd have a bit of a play around with those nutty professors who invent illnesses. I am referring to the authors of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Mark Nestmann has a cracking article on his website regarding the DSM's stance on independent thinking. He writes:

"Do you question authority? Fail to accept conventional wisdom? Lose your temper when you hear a politician make a promise that you know he or she can’t keep?

If so, you may be mentally ill, according to the most recent revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)."

He adds:

"A case in point is “oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).” DSM defines ODD as “an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behavior toward authority figures.” Symptoms include losing one’s temper, annoying people and being “touchy.” Other “disorders” include antisocial behavior, arrogance, cynicism and narcissism."

This got me thinking [hand me the straitjacket]

These clowns really have nothing better to do. Their annual additions get more perverse as each year passes us by.

Let's take this new ODD invention.

I think just about anyone I have ever met have, at some point in their lives, questioned authority, does that mean all my friends have ODD?

I, myself, must have a severe case of ODD because I have questioned authority...or been defiant for many years now. Damn proud of it I am too.

Where can I get a shirt printed with the words 'I HAVE ODD' written on it?

Heaven forbid there EVER be any opposition to authority. Only person [entity] I have heard of that would object to anyone ever questioning him/her is God...then again those buffoons who come up with these 'disorders' think they are God - surely that would be enough to not take them seriously?

They are merely, along with pharmaceutical companies, trying to suppress the masses with their 'scriptures' [sound familiar?]

What next?

I've come up with some mental disorders for the DSM pharma whores. I offer no explanation other than my own "independent thinking."


SEROXAT SUFFERERS ALTERNATIVE DISORDERS


Jangling keys or loose change in pocket - Noisy Obsessive Bastard [NOB]

Tapping foot to music - Terrible Impulsive Tapper [TIT]

Constantly checking for wrinkles - Obsessive Living Disorder [OLD]

Addiction to Ebay - Bidding Impulsive Disorder [BID]

Walking on one leg - Hopping Obsessive Phobia [HOP]

Leaving the toilet seat up - Lazy Incompetence Disorder [LID]

Shaving without a mirror - Shearing Hairs Impulsively Theory [SHIT]

**Sent in by reader

**Oh great, now I know my husband's habit of leaving apple cores around the house instead of throwing them in the bin is really a mental disorder!

Compulisive Obsessive Core Keeper [COCK]- Diana Davis

Absurd aren't they... but only as absurd as “oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).”

**Seroxat Sufferers received no funding or grants and has no affiliation with the pharmaceutical industry, the DSM, psychiatry or Klingons.

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TWIT TWATTED OFF TWITTER

Psycho 

The cyberstalking psychopath who created a Twitter account using my name and photo whilst posting links to his shadow Seroxat Sufferers blog has now been removed from Twitter.

An impersonation report was filed on Sunday, and Twitter wrote me tonight after investigating.

They write:

"Hello,

Thank you for providing this information. We have removed the reported profile from circulation due to violation of our Terms of Service regarding impersonation."

Back story HERE

More about stalking HERE

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Get your antidepressants for 'Free'

Bristol Myers Squibb have come up with the novel idea of offering 'depressed people' a free two week course of their antidepressant, Abilify [aripiprazole]

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic and antidepressant used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and clinical depression.

The offer from its maker, Bristol Myers Squibb, is for a free trial of Abilify. Here's the promo from their page:

Image: abilify.com

The offer, as I understand, is only available to Americans.

Whatever next?

Maybe a free voucher to a brothel if you take up an erectile dysfunction course of tablets?

Fid

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THE TWIT ON TWITTER

Psychopath stalker and his duplicate Twitter account

It seems my psychopathic cyberstalker is not content with the creation of a shadow Seroxat Sufferers blog. The mindless cretin has now, it appears created a duplicate Twitter account using my name and photo. As impersonation is an offence on Twitter, this deranged simpleton thinks by altering my surname does not mean it's impersonation.

For those of you who follow me on Twitter beware of the username 'Fidaman'

My Twitter is http://twitter.com/Fiddaman

An impersonation report has been sent to Twitter.

Fid

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Avandia Cover Up: Regulators and Journalists All Guilty

A superbly written article regarding GlaxoSmithKline, the regulators and journalists by Anissa Ford appears on huliq.com today.

Anissa pretty much sums up the whole Avandia scandal by liking it to The Insider, the 1999 movie starring Russell Crowe. The movie told the true story of Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco executive, who decided to appear on the CBS-TV News show "60 Minutes."He revealed that, the tobacco industry was not only aware that cigarettes are addictive & harmful, but deliberately worked on increasing that addictiveness.

The MHRA and EMA should hang their heads in shame over this particular crime by Glaxo.

Anissa's full article can be read HERE

Fid

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Seroxat Sufferers Readers Stories: Lola's Story

Over the course of the next few months I am going to be working hard with my book editor. Editing work that has been read a thousand times over is a laborious procedure but one that has to be done. It means that I will be spending less time on here and more time editing and preparing my manuscript for print [should be November time]

I would like to keep this blog active so decided to give you, the reader, a chance to tell your story.

Here is the first of those stories sent in by Annie

Send your articles to me at fiddaman64@blueyonder.co.uk

More info HERE

LOLA'S STORY

I'm Lola, of Lola's Diner blog. Both my ex-husband and my daughter have been on anti-psychotic medications, both initially for psychotic breaks.

They say a psychotic break often comes after extreme life stressors. In my daughter’s case, a month before her break we had a tornado touch down on our block. A week after that I began having health problems for which I went to the ER several times. I was hospitalized several times and was scheduled to have surgery the morning of my daughter’s psychotic break. Her behavior that morning was bizarre and she was saying things that didn’t make sense. I was sure that this was a psychotic break, even though I never actually saw the beginning of my ex-husband’s break. I had read so much on the internet and read so many books on mental illness, I had no doubt what was going on with my daughter. My ex partner had gone to work for a couple hours, then would take us both to the hospital. While my ex partner was at work I called my doctor, the children’s counselor, the school counselor. I desperately wanted someone to tell me I was wrong, but they all came to the same conclusion.

My daughter was evaluated at the nearest ER. As time passed, her conditions worsened. She went from confused thoughts to a flat affect, catatonia, poverty of speech and was literally in abject terror. She was transferred via ambulance to a hospital with a pediatric psychiatric unit. We later learned she was having horror movie type visual and auditory hallucinations. She also had extreme paranoia about the hospital food. She refused to eat and would only do so when coaxed. It literally would take 3 hours to get her to eat 1/2 her meal.

She had numerous hospitalizations, each one trying a different drug cocktail to lessen her symptoms. Initially, she was put on Abilify, but she suffered from low blood pressure on it. Seroquel was tried briefly in a small dose, but even with the small dose she could not get out of bed until after lunch time. Next was Geodon. This helped rid her of the hallucinations, but caused extreme weight gain. Eventually that stopped working and Xyprexa was tried next. Again, extreme weight gain and it eventually stopped working. She is currently on Depakote and Risperdal and has been on them for about 2 years, with the doses being tweaked periodically. Again more weight gain. She has literally gained 150 pounds on these medications.

After the onset of her illness it was 3 months before she began holding conversations with staff and with us. Prior to that, she didn’t speak, or only spoke in one word answers

At one point her medication began working too well and she became manic. She didn’t sleep, talked so fast that the words were unintelligible and had to return to the hospital for a medication change.

She had symptoms involving extreme anger and confused thoughts. Her responses didn’t match situations, and she became inappropriately angry and she had become physical.

I have to say that we are so much more fortunate than some of the other families we met during my daughter's hospitalizations. Some of the children had issues with illegal/street drugs and alcohol, complicating their mental health problems. Some children had attempted suicide. Other children sadly didn’t come back from their psychotic breaks. There was one young man who was an honor student and played several instruments in the band. He was quite an accomplished musician according to his proud parents. The poor couple was shell-shocked and having had such a similar break to my daughter’s they befriended my ex partner and I. Their son had poverty of speech, catatonia and hallucinations. When we left, hospital staff were talking to them about a residential facility for him. So sad.

Most parents have to deal with normal teen angst and rebellion. To some parents even that can be overwhelming. To have a child with a mental illness on top of the normal teenage stuff is very hard to deal with. It’s like teenage angst and rebellion to the nth degree.

Whenever there are issues, you as the parent have to step back and ask yourself, is this normal teenage stuff, or is this the illness? If it is the illness, then you seek medical attention. If it’s normal teenage stuff, if you can’t handle it yourselves, you seek help from your child’s counselor. Sometimes it’s impossible to tell the difference. Sometimes you walk on eggshells for weeks waiting for a medication change to take hold or for her mood to change. If her illness flares and she’s defiant, sometimes as the parent you have to back off on what the normal household rules are.

My son knows his sister is ill. Intellectually he knows it. Emotionally he finds it hard to take. He can tell when her illness is flaring and when she’s completely “off”. Sometimes he’ll try to talk calmly to her to try to get her to comply or calm down, but most of the time it doesn’t work and he gets very frustrated. He can’t understand why she can’t go back to “the way she was”.

If you’ve known someone prior to a psychotic break and then after the break, you know the person after is "not the same person". Something is missing. Look into their eyes, and you’ll know what I mean. I don’t know if it’s the result of the break, the medications required to treat the break, or both. I can look at photographs before and after and see the difference. The difference is tangible. They may come close, but they will never be the same. It's a very difficult fact to face.

From time to time people ask me how she's doing? My reply is usually that she's "different". Not better, not worse, just "different" because she often exhibits different symptoms.

Advocating for my daughter has been tough. Initially she was home schooled during hospitalizations, awaiting an IEP meeting. The school continually led me to believe she was going to remain in regular school. It was very frustrating. "Least restrictive environment" is their mantra. (Also, meaning "least expensive" for the school district.) In the end, she was referred to a special behavioral school.

After losing my insurance and going on medicaid, hospital visits became extremely frustrating. I was constantly in contact with the staff and constantly battling to have her hospital stays extended or advocating for partial hospitalization programs. Rather than hospitalizing her for medication reductions, they wanted to discharge her and do them at home, which could be dangerous, both for my daughter and other household members. It was a constant battle.

Today my daughter is is still at the behavioral school, still on medications and is currently free from hallucinations, but is struggling with poor hygiene and depression.

----

Fid

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SEROXAT SUFFERERS: ANNIE'S STORY

Over the course of the next few months I am going to be working hard with my book editor. Editing work that has been read a thousand times over is a laborious procedure but one that has to be done. It means that I will be spending less time on here and more time editing and preparing my manuscript for print [should be November time]

I would like to keep this blog active so decided to give you, the reader, a chance to tell your story.

Here is the first of those stories sent in by Annie

Send your articles to me at fiddaman64@blueyonder.co.uk

More info HERE

ANNIE'S STORY

Hi Bob

This is a very good idea.

Here is my story. I am just going to write it. Feel free to edit, I don't know how many words it will add up to, and I will give you the bare bones.

My partner, an airline pilot, was convicted of drink driving in 1999. He commuted to Glasgow Airport daily to fly the air ambulance and fly people out to the outer hebrides. We lived in a small village approximated an hour and a half from the airport.

I was very worried about how we would cope in our lovely lochside house on Loch Fyne.

I visited my gp, an Indian elderly chap, in the village surgery. He said he couldn't deal with women's emotional issues and suggested I saw a psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist was organised who came to my house. He spent two hours talking me through my problems - the problem being my partner had to rent an apartment near the airport leaving me with an eight year old daughter, a large labrador, the house, garden and very little money.

The psychiatrist, a young South African, from a nearby mental hospital explained to me there was a new drug on the market called Seroxat which would help me feel better. I knew nothing about pills such as these and readily agreed.

I took Seroxat for two years, our life settled down, and I went to see the new lady doctor at the surgery and explained that I would like to stop taking the pills.

This doctor told me to take one every other day then stop. I did this and after a few days my head felt funny. It felt like it was filled with helium, then I started to get electric shock like zaps in my head, then I started to hyperventilate; I was very scared and told my gp what was going on. I was repeatedly told it was my personal life causing me so many problems.

I was put on Valium, beta blockers, Diazapam - nothing would halt the increasing panic, hyperventilation, brain zaps, chronic fatigue, nightmares, sweating, dizziness, confusion, and I became bed-bound. I could not function at all. Even in bed, I was going through hell on earth. I did not understand what was going on.

My gp constantly told me to pull myself together and I did not know how to.

My state of mind built up and up to a massive panic attack on a Sunday morning at 6.00 am when I got out of my bed with the idea that I had to kill myself.

I tried to gas myself with the oven, I tried to gas myself with the car exhaust, I tried to hang myself, I got the kitchen knife and cut into my wrists. I was still alive, I grabbed by beta-blockers and swallowed 28.

I then woke up and got myself to hospital. Without my Seroxat.

I tried to smother myself with a pillow, I found a plastic bag in the hospital toilet and tried to suffocate myself.

Eventually I got my Seroxat. Calm again.

Life somehow went on.

The following year I wanted to come off Seroxat again. This time we did it with liquid Seroxat, when I got down to the final 10ml. it all started again. I was in bed for three months unable to cope. Chronic fatigue, hyperventilation, brain zaps, all over again.

I had by now seen the Panoramme on Seroxat withdrawal, now I knew what I was dealing with. I joined the group action against GSK and followed all the internet sites.

Unfortunately for me, my lady gp, got wise to all this and fabricated my medical records. She had been advised to give me Fluoxetine (Prozac) when doing a withdrawal programme from Seroxat (Paroxetine) by the psychiatrist, but had not done so.

When I told her about Panorama and my group action she actually had the gall to make up a story when giving a written referral that said that I was given Prozac, that these two drugs had made no difference to me and that she noticed in a recent article that anti-depressants are no more efficacious in anxiety than benzodiapines! I have all my medical records and could not believe that she could do this.

I was then seriously nowhere.

I stopped all drugs in September 2003. I felt so terrible that I thought I cannot feel worse without anything. It was a terrible ride, but I got out of it all.

My problem now is that my gp should be sued, but because of all the contention about Seroxat I am not sure that it is possible.

I have spent years in a sort of place that I am not sure of; I don't know who I am anymore.

If I had only said 'no thanks' no pills. But I didn't and I feel that I have been in cyberspace.

The years pass. I have done my best to bring up my daughter, but she suffered as acutely as I did.

You know what, no one gives a shit. My doctor lied to save her reputation, a suicide in a small village is not a good thing. My poor little reputation was not given a second thought by anyone. I have had no help whatsoever with all this.

I feel I was left for dead by my psychiatrist, my gp; there was nowhere to go.

We may or may not win this court case. I don't give a damn about the money, I just feel totally let down by all these so called medical professionals.

If you can use this, do so by all means.

Annie

----

Fid

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Seroxat Sufferers Invites You...

Image: stylebysarah.com

Over the course of the next few months I am going to be working hard with my book editor. Editing work that has been read a thousand times over is a laborious procedure but one that has to be done. It means that I will be spending less time on here and more time editing and preparing my manuscript for print [should be November time]

I would like to keep this blog active so decided to give you, the reader, a chance to tell your story.

If you would like to highlight the plight of your time on SSRi's [it does NOT have t be Seroxat] then please feel free to use this blog as your platform.

Tell me your story, be it personal or about your loved one.

As I will be knee deep in my own editing, I would prefer if you sent me your stories complete with links [if any] and correct spelling and grammar. I can just upload it to this space without the need to edit someone else's work - editing my own is bad enough.

Tell me about your experiences with SSRi's, doctor's, medicine regulators, psychiatrists, your campaigning.

Stories shouldn't be any longer than 1200 words.

Get writing folks.

Send your articles to me at fiddaman64@blueyonder.co.uk


Fid

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Seroxat used in Ireland to distort childhood memories of abuse.

Image: onepennysheet.com

The Irish Observer blog has a very interesting interview with a recently retired Senior Social Worker.

She claims that Seroxat is being given to children who are making allegations of abuse.

In an apparent exclusive interview, the author of The Irish Observer blog asks the retired social worker:

Q. Are you saying that children who are making allegations of abuse are being given Mind Altering drugs that are not licensed in this country?

She answers quite candidly with:

Yes, this can have a very dangerous out come in such cases and those prescribing the drugs know very well the effects of such unlicensed drugs. For example, if a child makes and allegation of sexual abuse against a parent or relative and the family would rather that these allegations were concealed it is very easy to get a GP to proscribe something like Seroxat for the child in question. Seroxat should not be used on children as it has mind and mood altering effects, the result is that the child becomes abusive and disruptive and the focus moves from the alleged perpetrator to what is now an abusive and disruptive child. Equally and I have seen all of this happen, Seroxat coupled with discredited practice such a regression therapy can take a child from making allegations of physical abuse to allegations of sexual abuse, rape and even satanic ritual. I have watched in horror as judges have handed down heavy sentences to people as the judge said the child had tried to take their own life as a result of the alleged abuse, yet I knew and so did those involved in the cases, that these children had not tried to take their own life until they had been fed Seroxat or some other Mind Altering drug.

The full interview can be read HERE

I cannot validate if the interview is authentic but if it is, it certainly highlights just how dangerous Seroxat can be when used on children.

The author of the blog seems to follow some other unsavoury blog, because of this, I cannot validate whether or not this interview is real.

Fid

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BIG COUNTRY ARE BACK!

Image: bbc.co.uk

An off topic post but one that has me plugging my air guitar into my air amp.

Big Country, remember them? Well, they are back for a series of gigs in January.

The boys with the unique e-bow sound tragically lost their singer and frontman, Stuart Adamson, back in 2001. Stuart was found dead in a hotel in Honolulu.

Big Country reformed for a series of gigs back in 2007 where bass player, Tony 'nicest man in rock' Butler took lead vocals.

The 2011 dates sees The Alarm's frontman, Mike Peters, take up singing duties and the band will be joined by the fruit of the rhythm guitarist's [Bruce 'The Eagle' Watson] loins, Jamie Watson.

I've seen this band on numerous occasions, they are a band that, for me at least, come pretty close to capturing what they put down on vinyl [Disc].

My only concern now is if I am too old to mosh.

Top band who aren't, like many bands, stuck up their own arse.

Be good to catch up with the fans and natives of Scotland again.

**Memo to self: Better dig out that Scottish translation book.

The new line up:

Tony Butler - Bass Guitar and Vocals
Mark Brzezicki - Drums and Vocals
Mike Peters - Vocals and Guitar
Bruce Watson - Guitar and Vocals
Jamie Watson – Guitar.

Dates are:

January
Wednesday 5th Newcastle O2 Academy
Thursday 6th London Islington O2 Academy
Friday 7th Birmingham O2 Academy
Saturday 8th Liverpool O2 Academy

All shows are on sale from Saturday 11th September @ 9am via www.gigsandtours.com or on 0844 811 0051. Tickets are priced £20 regionally (£22.50 London).

Further dates are expected to be added.

In the meantime...

Here's the boys, as they were back in the 90's.

One Great Thing



Fid

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