In his own inimitable way "The NHS Blog Doctor" Dr Crippen has a real go at the new UK NICE guidelines for treating hypertension.
He see the fingerprints of Big Pharma all over them:
"The original drugs, such as propranolol, are long out of patent. Anyone can make them and anyone does. They cost a few pence a month. The profit has gone for Big Pharma. There is nothing to be gained from flying doctors to Acapulco to discuss propranolol.
How does Big Pharma deal with this?
It makes an entirely new drug and then bribes crooked doctors to write advertising copy stating that the new drug, which is expensive and on patent, is better than the old one.
They do not use words like “bribes” or “advertising copy.”
We are talking now of “honoraria” and “research”.
No reputable doctor would accept a bribe. Heavens no! They will however accept an “honorarium”. Dr Crippen loves the word “honorarium”.
What does it mean?
Was the money that Jeffrey Archer paid to the prostitute in the hope of buying her silence an “honorarium”?
Did Mohammed Al Fayed pay Neil Hamilton MP an “honorarium” for planting questions in the House of Commons?
How is an honorarium paid, I wonder? In a brown envelope? Is it taxable? Do doctors ever declare the size and frequency of their “honoraria”?
I think not.? "
LOL!
Read the rest here.
1 comment:
Although I agree that generic drugs should be used when available, I find that Betablockers can not be used on patients who engaged in running or any strenuous activity. Diuretics are ok for some people but many patients develop electolyte imbalances as well as chest pain.
ACE inhibitors are available generically as are other hypertensive agents and should be considered.
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