Monday, November 15, 2004

UK Government Tells Drug Firms to Disclose Clinical Data
Reuters Health story at Medscape - "The British government demanded on Thursday that all drug makers publish clinical trial data on marketed medicines and set new guidelines to ensure its regulators were not influenced by corporations. 'We want to see faster progress,' Health Minister Lord Warner told reporters. 'If we don't see it, I will be inviting senior members of the companies concerned to come and have a friendly discussion.' UK regulators are concerned that only a few companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline Plc, have started publishing their clinical trial results." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Comment: The Mental Health Bill (UK)
Commentary column at the Black Information Link - "If you're not mad already, you soon will be. That's what the government's Mental Health Bill means. It has often been said that no matter how far politicians go in being tough on asylum seekers, the issue never goes away. Fears and prejudices of the public increase, the right-wing press and the Conservative Party call for even tougher action. And the downward spiral continues. So it is with public fear of the mentally ill. A diet of newspaper stories about murders, and hunts for escapee mental patients, have reinforced the fears and prejudices that focus attention on the protection of the public rather than the care and rehabilitation of those affected..."