Tuesday, June 22, 2004

MIND boss backs benzo inquiry (UK)
Oldham Evening Chronicle story - "The head of the mental-health charity MIND is backing the House of Commons inquiry into the pharmaceutical industry. Richard Brook, chief executive of MIND, has welcomed the news that Uppermill campaigner Barry Haslam, and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas have succeeded in getting a top-level inquiry launched. The Commons Health Select Committee, chaired by David Hinchcliffe — the Labour MP for Wakefield — announced last week that there will be a new inquiry into the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. Pressure from Mr Haslam and support from Mr Woolas helped to convince Mr Hinchcliffe that MPs need to probe allegations that pharmaceutical companies and GPs ignored evidence and guidelines showing highly-addictive tranquillisers were being over-prescribed..." See also the press release at the MIND web site and the related page there, Ineffective UK drugs regulators exposed by Seroxat revelations.