MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with ' nation'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:44 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181762&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2wBwW5zdM10%2F By Malou InnocentOver the past decade, American taxpayers have lost as much as $60 billion dollars to massive fraud and waste in the nation building campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report released today by the Commission on Wartime Contracting. The independent panel confirms much of what we already know about rent-seeking in wartime; nevertheless, the panel details specific reconstruction projects and programs that display a stunning array of mismanagement: A modest $60 million agricultural development program in northern Afghanistan expanded to the south and east to the tune of $360 million. The cash-for-work program was intended to distribute vouchers for wheat-seed and fertilizer in drought-stricken areas. Today, the program spends $1 million a day. The panel reports,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181762 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:54:37 +0100 5181762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139688&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDdqHQ1G_3zk%2F By Ted Galen CarpenterAfter weeks of very little movement either militarily or diplomatically in Libya, there are apparent developments on both fronts in recent days. Rebel forces, aided by NATO’s air support, finally appear to be advancing into western Libya and cutting off supply lines to Tripoli, the long-time stronghold of support for Muammar Qaddafi. And reports are swirling about secret negotiations that might provide a peaceful exit from the country for the aging dictator. Those developments underscore that U.S. and NATO officials urgently need to consider what strategy they intend to pursue if Qaddafi’s more than four-decade hold on power finally comes to an end.  That is more crucial for the leaders of the European members of the alliance, since Libya is located on Europe’s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139688 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:48:28 +0100 5139688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130683&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F08%2F16%2Frecycling-medicine-not-as-easy-as-you-think%2F The Star paints a rosy picture with the article ‘Medication programme’ aims to cut waste at govt hospitals Perhaps the better solution is to find out why there is so much wastage in the first place? Is it because of over-prescribing? Is it due to a compliance issue? Returning medicines even before the “used by date” does not ensure efficacy since there may be questions on whether the medicines were stored properly, for instance not exposed to excessive temperatures. Our local cardiologist blogger, HOTM has more scathing words for the Ministry of Health, including another more obvious way to save costs on medication expenditure. from the Malaysian Medical ResourcesRecycling medicine – not as easy as you think (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130683 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5130683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107467&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F08%2F09%2Fhousemanship-in-malaysia-problems-with-the-glut%2F The shortage of doctors in Malaysia was a problem of the past, unfortunately addressed not by stemming resignations but by instead churning out medical graduates from the over 20 medical schools in this relatively small country, not counting those returning from overseas medical schools. It’s now a case of A doctor Too Many as many have predicted for some time now. The Health Minister claims there will be “adequate training” for housemen but one can only doubt how true the situation is on the ground where some units may have more than 40 housemen and so few patients per houseman and so few calls. The next thing we are likely to see is that housemen will now go on shift work rather than go on call. I agree with Dr. Pagalavan that this may create problems Working shift hour... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107467 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5107467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077631&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F07%2F30%2Fmma-statement-on-lynas%2F The controversial Lynas Rare Earth Plant has been given the green light by the IAEA but Malaysians continue to be worried it could be a repeat of the Bukit Merah ARE disaster. This is the official MMA Press Statement: MMA Statement on Lynas View more documents from palmdoc from the Malaysian Medical ResourcesMMA Statement on Lynas (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077631 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5077631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077632&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F07%2F29%2Fmma-press-statement-dr-jeyakumars-hunger-strike%2F Press release 29th July 2011 The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is very concerned to hear that Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, a Life Member of the MMA who has been detained under the Emergency Ordinance since July 2nd 2011, has gone on a hunger strike, as announced by his wife R. Mohanarani yesterday, “to seek justice, and he will continue his strike until all six of them are released or brought to trial..” We urge the authorities to release Dr Jeyakumar and the 5 others from PSM as the police said they had been detained “for being key movers of the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally”, which is now over. If they are not released immediately, they should be charged and tried in open court. While we are concerned about the possible detrimental effects of this hunger strike on Jeyakumar’s health ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077632 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5077632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036212&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F07%2F16%2Ffree-dr-kumar-now%2F It baffles us that the authorities continue to detain a man known for his integrity and who has dedicated his career to better the life of the poor and marginalised. THE recent arrest of Dr Jeyakumar M. Devaraj, Member of Parliament for Sungei Siput, on charges related to communism was most unfortunate. Many of us have known Dr Kumar for years, some of us since 1976, when we were classmates at medical school in Universiti Malaya. In those days the number of students was small and it was thus possible to know one another pretty well after five intensive years together. Most of us knew him first as a fellow university student, then colleague and more importantly as a friend. In all our years of relationship we have found him an honest and sincere individual, concerned for the plight of the a... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036212 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5036212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028092&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fmmc-reprimands-pathologist%2F The Kugan case is back in the news KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) today formally reprimanded the pathologist who wrongly stated A. Kugan’s cause of death, for failing to prepare an honest report. MMC found that Prof Dr Abdul Karim Tajudin of Serdang Hospital neglected his professional responsibilities under the council’s guidelines for doctors in “conflict situations” for stating that Kugan had died from “water in the lungs” (pulmonary oedema) and not trauma. But a second post-mortem by Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s (UMMC) Dr Prashant N. Samberkar, conducted at the family’s behest, found that Kugan had died of acute renal failure due to blunt trauma to skeletal muscles. Kugan family lawyer and PKR vice president N. Surendran said today t... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028092 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5028092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952792&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDx3xqqVqUR8%2F By Christopher PrebleTomorrow night, President Obama will announce how many troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan over the next 18 months. CNN.com reported this morning that the president is expected to announce a plan that would bring all 30,000 “surge” troops home by the end of 2012. This would give them two more fighting seasons in Afghanistan. The Los Angeles Times reported administration and Pentagon officials told them 10,000 troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of this year. In an effort to quell the leaks, White House officials told Fox News that Obama has not made a final decision and that the reporting is “all over the map.” But we should not allow this speculation over troop numbers to distract us from the bigger picture. Even if by the end of 2012 the size of th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952792 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:11:20 +0100 4952792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911450&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmxymmNehZsA%2F By Malou InnocentAs confirmed by yet another U.S. government report, this one prepared by the Democratic majority staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, America’s nation-building mission in Afghanistan has had little success in creating an economically viable and politically independent Afghan state. The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung writes: The report also warns that the Afghan economy could slide into a depression with the inevitable decline of the foreign military and development spending that now provides 97 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. [Emphasis added] U.S. leaders could look at that statistic and justify prolonging the mission. In fact, the report suggests, “Afghanistan could suffer a severe economic depression when foreign troops leave in 2014... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911450 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:10:41 +0100 4911450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852829&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F05%2F22%2Ffeedback-2015-asean-economic-zone%2F Vijay writes in: One of the possible reasons the 1Care system is to be ‘rushed’ in the next 3 years is because by 2015, ASEAN will be a combined economic zone like Euro. What this means is that foreign corporations can invest in the country in healthcare. Multiple scenarios are possible from this. A foreign entity can buy over local hospitals/open up hospitals in Malaysia A Malaysian entity can buy up hospitals in other ASEAN country. So, if our clinics are not streamlined under one economic roof bound by regulations, in theory, a MNE can gobble up clinics and offer a very good value to patients in the country. Thanks for writing in Vijay. Investing in neighbouring Asean healthcare infrastructure (hospitals, clinics) is one thing, the big question for doctors is how will the in... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852829 Sat, 21 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4852829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841445&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ7Si-UIh_C4%2F By George Scoville Why are we still in Iraq? Despite the world’s greatest nation-building efforts, things in Bosnia are still getting worse. Vouchers offer parents more choice in education than they currently have, but education tax credits are still better at helping the poor. Although federal courts have already held parts of current National Security Letter statutes unconstitutional, we still have a way to go in restoring civil liberties in the post-9/11 era. While Osama bin Laden has been dispatched, we still have many issues to navigate in our national security strategy. Please join us on Facebook at 12:30 p.m. Eastern today, where Cato legal policy analyst David Rittgers, who served three tours in Afghanistan with Army Special Forces, receiving an Army Commendation Medal with &... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841445 Tue, 17 May 2011 14:32:32 +0100 4841445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828830&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F05%2F16%2Fbfm-interview-with-dr-david-quek%2F In case you missed it, BFM, the Business station, recently conducted an interview with Dr. David Quek, current MMA President on Revamping Our National Healthcare Policy BFM archives the interview in its great Podcast section and you can download the MP3 here from the Malaysian Medical ResourcesBFM Interview with Dr. David Quek (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828830 Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4828830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813222&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F05%2F11%2Freferendum-badly-needed-on-1msia-health-plan%2F Drs Steven Chow & Ng Swee Choon (via Letters to Malaysiakini) We read with great interest and agreement, the article by Dr HT Ong and others ’1Care outpatient scheme – middlemen didahulukan?’, on the planned 1Malaysia Healthcare transformation reported in Star May, 24. When this plan was revealed three years ago, the FPMPAM had cautioned that introducing a national health insurance, will not necessarily improve patient care and lower cost of delivery. In fact, our contention is that it may disrupt the continuity of present patient care in the country. Our proposal is instead of a transformation is to allow the system to evolve, paying particular attention to areas of weaknesses, which cause the under-performance and poor delivery in the existing system. Based on our ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813222 Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4813222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789221&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDFJHbY9hE34%2F By Malou InnocentOsama Bin Laden’s death marks a significant achievement in the fight against al Qaeda. It also highlights the fact that our ostensible objective for continuing the war in Afghanistan has been achieved. Although some lawmakers have been quick to claim that bin Laden’s demise proves that our nation-building mission is showing signs of success, others recognize that this momentous achievement justifies scaling down our presence in Afghanistan. Indeed, rather than expansive counterinsurgency campaigns, targeted counterterrorism measures would suffice. It is encouraging that Republican members of Congress are questioning the mission. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concern yesterday: [Senator Lugar] s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789221 Wed, 04 May 2011 17:48:52 +0100 4789221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789169&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F05%2F05%2Fcharging-patients-referred-from-private-centres-differently-not-exactly-fair%2F A recent experience prompts me to write this post. Some (possibly all) major referral/tertiary public hospitals charge patients referred from private centres extra or at a “private rate” no matter what. While it is true that some patients coming from private hospitals can afford to pay, more often than not, the reason for referring them to public medical centres is because they are not adequately covered by insurance or unable to self-pay for medical care in private centres in the first place. What the registration counter then tells these unfortunate patients is that they have to go get a referral letter from another public hospital/clinic if they want to have this waivered. I can’t understand this ridiculous red-tape the public hospitals have to put these patients thro... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789169 Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4789169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780295&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Frgl-wP5da0Q%2F By George Scoville “Given America’s large-scale, long-term nation-building mission in Afghanistan, another chapter remains unfinished.” “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to refer to a government whose intelligence service assists military efforts by al Qaeda and the Taliban against U.S. troops in Afghanistan as an ‘ally.’” “Terrorists are not superhuman.” “Physicians must either make up for this shortfall by shifting costs to those patients with insurance — meaning those of us with insurance pay more — or treat patients at a loss.” Is America in a libertarian moment? Tuesday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780295 Tue, 03 May 2011 14:51:15 +0100 4780295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762747&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4D2pubWPm0Q%2F By Justin LoganToday in Politico I have an op-ed titled “How Washington changed Obama.” In the piece, I argue that the recent appointments of Leon Panetta as secretary of defense and Gen. David Petraeus as director of the CIA, combined with revelations in the recent New Yorker article by Ryan Lizza, suggest that President Obama has given up on changing U.S. foreign and defense policy: Panetta is a dubious choice to fulfill Obama’s recent pledge to trim military spending. Any secretary charged with realizing that pledge would need extraordinary credibility with Capitol Hill Republicans, many of whom are determined to continue raining money on the Pentagon regardless of the nation’s parlous fiscal position. Despite having once been a Republican, Panetta ran for Congress as Democr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762747 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:04:31 +0100 4762747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789172&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F09%2Fcucms-in-trouble%2F Rumblings about one private medical school in the news: From The Star: Students still in limbo as medical college seeks to rectify quota error The furore surrounding the Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) shows no signs of abating as angry parents demand action over their “stranded” children. This comes after 68 medical students were forced to transfer to other institutions as a result of CUCMS exceeding the 150-student quota set by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Around 50 parents, who turned up yesterday to discuss the academic fate of their children with the institution’s senior staff, were left disappointed. From the Blogs: Do you smell what the college is cooking? I just received an interesting info that something is cooking in one of the private m... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789172 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4789172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642572&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8JIumpKo5F8%2F By Christopher PrebleThere is ample recent evidence that the president has some difficulty with entrances and exits.  The linked video is a humorous example; the building conundrum in Libya is not. President Obama's decision to launch a series of military strikes against Libya raises a host of questions, many more than can be answered in his much-belated address to the American people tonight. At a minimum, the President must clarify the purpose and scope of the mission. He has declared that the sole object is to protect civilians from harm. Others in his administration, however, suggest that military operations will continue until Muammar Qaddafi leaves office. In fact, the two goals might be contradictory, as the need to protect civilians from violence could well extend long after Qadd... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642572 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:57:22 +0100 4642572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436722&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8995 MMA President, Dr. David Quek, writes on Healthcare reform in Malaysia On public vs private primary care systems: The MOH believe that the private sector is not sufficiently disciplined or robust in addressing the growth of chronic ailments, and are not promoting primary care and health maintenance enough. The private sector is thought to be too disjointed and have not been providing holistic or family care for patients. The MOH appears unduly concerned that there have been too much doctor-hopping/shopping and thus resulting in poor continuity of care in the private sector. We have asked for specific data to prove this arguable presumption. Indeed, we have argued that the converse is true in practice. In the private sector, although the cost is higher, more patients and their families foll... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436722 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4436722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394402&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8985 Kudos to the Sarawak Health authorities for allowing Medicine by Mail PATIENTS suffering from chronic illness can now have their follow-up medication delivered to them following the launch of the Medicine By Mail service. With this, they can forget about queueing up at a hospital’s pharmacy counter. Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) deputy director Dr Junaidi Diki said patients who signed up for the service would have their medicine delivered to them at their chosen address, such as their home or office, through Poslaju. I can imagine it would be a boon for those who live a distance away from SGH, as travel may be difficult if not costly. It would be naturally dependent on an efficient postal service and I can say Pos Malaysia is not too bad. Pos Laju may sometimes be not that laju (a recen... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394402 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4394402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337887&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8977 A glimpse into what it so come in the 1Care system designed to reduce Hospital crowds KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will integrate all private and government clinics under the 1Care system for better service. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said it would produce a blueprint of the plan in two years. He said under the system, patients would go to clinics, which would decide whether to refer them to hospitals. “The system will make sure everyone receives premium healthcare. Patients can choose whether to go to private or government clinics,” he said after opening the De HomeBiz Gallery outlet at Great Eastern Mall here yesterday. He said the ministry would carry out the system in six phases. The first phase involves strengthening the facilities and services in government ho... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337887 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4337887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326893&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8973 The Star reports on a proposed common licensing examination with the heading Exam for docs won’t cause brain drain A proposed amendment to the Medical Act to compel all overseas medical graduates to sit for a common licensing examination will not worsen the brain drain situation, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said. “The Malaysian Medical Council examinations are not meant to make things difficult for them but to assess their core knowledge. They should not worry if they have passed their university examinations,” he said. Dr Ismail, who is also Malaysian Medical Council president, said in view of the weakness in monitoring foreign institutions, the council had proposed to do away with the Second Schedule of the Medical Act, containing the list of recognis... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326893 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4326893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326894&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8971 Interesting comparison with some other countries: There are currently 24 medical schools providing undergraduate training for Malaysia’s population of 28 million. Countries with similar populations like Australia (22 million), Taiwan (23 million) and Canada (34 million) have 19, 11, and 17 medical schools respectively. Dr. Milton Lum hits the nail on the head The resolution of the problem can only be possible if a comprehensive approach is taken. Ad hoc measures will not solve the problem. Moratoria and increasing the number of hospitals for housemenship may be part of the solution, but they are at best, interim measures. The fundamental issues have to be addressed before the situation gets out of hand. Medical schools have to be held accountable for the quality of their graduates. The ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326894 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4326894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277803&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8954 Calling all young doctors, would you heed the call to serve in rural areas? The problem the nation is facing is a gross disparity in number of doctors in urban areas versus those serving in the rural areas. It is not unique to Malaysia as it is a world-wide problem. Doctors are human too and junior doctors don’t want to miss out on the opportunity for higher specialist training, some prefer to be close to their families and some simply prefer the city lifestyle. Thus the DG lamants Many doctors want to be posted to big cities only Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said many young doctors today were still not ready for the challenge to serve where the need was greatest. “Most want to be in big centres and many would appeal when posted to hospitals outside the Kl... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277803 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4277803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265687&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FueRzNG8I_pU%2F By Malou InnocentPresident Obama released his Afghanistan war review today. It highlights progress on the battlefield against insurgents, the success of Special Forces operations and drone strikes, and achievements in training the Afghan security forces. I have four thoughts on the matter: First, scattered throughout the document are passages such as “al-Qa’ida’s senior leadership in Pakistan is weaker,” “[a]l-Qa’ida’s senior leadership has been depleted,” and “al-Qa’ida’s leadership cadre have diminished.” However, can we deter more jihadists than our efforts help to inspire? After all, “fighting them over there so they don’t fight us here” did not deter Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad and his inco... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265687 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:31:24 +0100 4265687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253105&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8939 I wonder if it is a case of too little little too late. Ministries order five-year moratorium on medical courses The Government will impose a five-year moratorium on medical programmes as an immediate measure to prevent the glut in housemen from becoming worse. The moratorium will prohibit the launch of new medical programmes in the country. Existing medical schools will be encouraged to focus more on quality. It is hoped that this would put the brakes on the rise in the number of housemen. We had already anticipated the Housemen glut, and indeed that will turn into a Medical officer glut which I suspect will be the next phase. There will be a huge gap demand vs availability of higher training posts in the future leaving many languishing as frustrated medical officers in the districts. Thi... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253105 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4253105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253104&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8943 Dr. David Quek posted the story in his blog which originated in the Chinese press Two weeks before she died, she wrote a letter to health minister Liow Tiong Lai, expressing her hopes for improved healthcare system in Malaysia. She lamented that the country’s cord blood and adult stem cell banking system was dissatisfactory, resulting in difficulty for patients to search for suitable bone marrow. She said many people missed the best timing for treatment and had to lose their lives due to the absence of compatible bone marrow, many of them young people with supposedly bright future. Although Yang had missed the opportunities for treatment on a number of occasions, she still believed she would get her chances. Aware of the limited stock of bone marrow locally, she had to source matchin... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253104 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4253104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214052&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8935 Dr. Wong writes in: Sad that in a country that proposes to build a Mega100 storey Tower, the Rakyat are suffering in silence. I only hope that more will know of this and that good people not sit back and do noting. We cannot ‘roll up our sleeves and watch in silence’. Dr. Wong points to the series of blog posts by “Pagavalan’s Avatar”: Are we going back to 3rd world! Are We Going Back to 3rd World? Part 2 Are We Going Back to 3rd World? Part 3 Are We Going Back to 3rd World? Part 4 The gist of it seems to be that in this large public hospitals, there were cuts in medicines, surgical procedures, equipment etc. due to budgetary shortfalls. Public hospitals running out of money towards the later part of the year is not something new. It is a sad reflection of ad... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214052 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4214052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175765&cid=t_391794_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F17%2Fmental-health-and-the-media-in-new-zealand%2F AF: We are going to have to cut those lines from your play about people being in institutions. DT: Why? AF: We don’t have them here in New Zealand. – Adam Fresco, Director of the Rethink Theatre Challenge to me, October 7th, 2010 Last month I traveled to New Zealand because a one-act play I’d written won an international playwriting contest. The contest, sponsored by Mind and Body Consultants, was funded by their annual RETHiNK Grant and was part of the national “Like Minds, Like Mine” campaign, a publicly funded program aimed at reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Ten one-acts were chosen to be performed on World Mental Health Day, October 10th (10 plays, 10 minutes, on the 10th day of the 10th month 2010.) The contest drew entries from aro... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175765 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:18:31 +0100 4175765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133634&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8911 I hope the concept of 1Malaysia does not mean 1 standard for me and 1 standard for you. It should be 1 standard for ALL, in the interest of the consumers, patients, doctors and all parties concerned. This is what we have been saying ever since the PHFSA was enforced. Why only have a Healthcare act for the private sector? Why can’t the “rules” also apply to Government clinics and hospitals if they are that important? Daryl Goon, the Present of the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia says Make government hospitals comply with private standards THE Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia views with concern the report by the Auditor-General of shoddy repairs and upgrading work carried out in government clinics. Some of the shortcomings described include shoddy work that would render th... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133634 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4133634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961805&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8805 Mercy Malaysia says RM1mil needed to reconstruct health facilities in Pakistan Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) is seeking RM1mil in funds to help reconstruct health facilities damaged in Pakistan’s worst floods in 80 years. Mercy Malaysia president Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus said the money was also needed to provide emergency medical relief to flood victims in the southern part of that country. He said in a statement Sunday that more mobile and static clinics were also needed to help alleviate the suffering of the people as medical attention was widely needed. Go to the Mercy Malaysia website now and click on the donate button! from the Malaysian Medical ResourcesMercy Malaysia: RM1mil needed to reconstruct health facilities in Pakistan (Source: Malaysian Medical Resource... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961805 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3961805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942775&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fnn5XaddC4Zw%2F By Malou InnocentOver at “The Skeptics” blog at The National Interest Online, I wrote a short piece detailing the abysmal state of the Afghan army and police — you know, the institutions that are supposed to take over responsibility for security and allow U.S. forces to being to come home? “From illiteracy and corruption to poor vetting and low pay, the current training effort has yielded a force of compromised caliber.” What’s more: “An AP reporter on patrol with Americans at Combat Outpost Ware in the Arghandab Valley found that when the Afghans go on patrol they are treated as outsiders. “When they see us, the old men say, ‘They are the sons of the British,’ ” Lt. Haskar said, explaining that the villagers equate both the Americans and the Afgh... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942775 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:31:34 +0100 3942775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3845102&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famerica-has-a-heart%2F2010.08.08 As an American, I was proud when I heard the news. I grinned to myself. It was on my way to work, through a beautiful city park, with the sun rising over the hillside. The morning radio program reported the news that a California judge overturned their state’s ban on gay marriage. I know what you’re thinking: A medical blog is running amuck right into a political hornet’s nest. But isn’t it true that a nation’s kindness is a defining characteristic? America and Americans do much that is good and right. Examples of such goodness are too numerous to list. If you are a victim of a calamity, you can be sure that America will help. Ask Haiti. And it’s not just foreign countries, we help each other. There’s a flood and then there are volunteers. A powe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3845102 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3845102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812959&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FX3lkT597Q_c%2F By Malou InnocentIn an interview that aired yesterday on CBS’s Early Show, President Obama said his objective for Afghanistan is “fairly modest.” On its face, the mission seems modest enough: “don’t allow terrorists to operate from this region; don’t allow them to create big training camps and to plan attacks against the US homeland with impunity.” In reality, such a policy is not modest in the least. A commitment to never allow terrorists to resurface not only serves as a convenient rationale to prolong the mission but also as an open-ended justification to intervene anywhere in the world without hesitation. Moreover, the president claims that strengthening the capacity of a sovereign Afghan government will enhance America’s security, but the basis ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812959 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:52:45 +0100 3812959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805788&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8729 Death is a process, not an instantaneous event for many. Indeed for some it can be a long goodbye for friends and loved ones. How do we fare as a nation, caring for the dying? The way a nation cares for its weakest and most vulnerable is the mark of its soul. How it cares for the dying is a measure of the society’s advancement and enlightenment. ~ Lee Poh Wah, CEO, Lien Foundation Sian sent in this link to Life Before Death which can be played via a Flash compatible browser. This is a summary of the The Quality of Death report from the Economist Intelligence Unit commissioned by the Lien Foundation, a Singaporean philanthropic organisation. Ranking end-of-life care across the world, the report shows that the UK leads the world in quality of death, in view of its excellent hospice ca... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805788 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3805788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776438&cid=t_391794_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2Fwanted-crisis-hotline-stories%2F Crisis and suicide hotlines are the backbone of most civilized nation’s response to suicidal individuals and are often the “first line” of intervention and response. Surprisingly, very little large-scale research has been conducted on the effectiveness of suicide hotlines, whether they actually save people’s lives, and what kind of followup they provide for individuals in crisis. In one recent research study, Mishara et al. (2007) found that suicide hotline call center quality and the nature of their interventions varied considerably. The researchers also found that call centers tended to do little systematic quality assurance to ensure that volunteers who man the suicide hotlines are conducting interventions according to their initial training. They also found tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776438 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:42:18 +0100 3776438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776339&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8715 Shan has emailed to let us know that Malaysia’s TeleHealth initiative is very much alive. They have a website which explains about the TeleConsultation project. In principle, technology such as this, can help reach out to under-served areas for example rural-based doctors can consult specialists in bigger cities. In practice though there are enormous hurdles in implementing projects such as this, not only considering the infrastructure but also availability of human resources who are capable of carrying this out. In our doctors’ forums, GPs quipped they are already carrying out TeleConsultation – using the good old telephone! I for one would be glad for simple things like people checking and replying their emails promptly, let alone real-time video conferencing and teleco... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776339 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3776339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3757825&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8709 According to the Star, the Health Minister was quoted as saying Suspected dengue patients shouldn’t be sent home Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, expressing concern over the management of dengue cases in hospitals, said he had received complaints that some suspected dengue patients were sent home while waiting for the test results, instead of being placed under observation. “I see a number of cases where the dengue patient died in the hospital just after one, two or three days of being warded. I want them (doctors) to look into the cases of death, how to minimise death. I hope the Minister checked with his medical advisors since he is not a medically trained doctor. Dengue patients have varying degrees of severity as far as the illness is concerned. Patients with milder ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3757825 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3757825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753773&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8697 The NST has this article which claims Healthcare will be “for FREE” To ensure all Malaysians get adequate healthcare, wage earners will have to make scheduled monthly contributions to the proposed National Health Financing Scheme. The self-employed, those who have an independent income as well as employers would also have to contribute, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai told the New Sunday Times. The government proposes to set up a health financing scheme that will give all Malaysians access to primary healthcare at any public or private clinic for free. The scheme will also look at secondary healthcare coverage and the illnesses and treatments it might be able to cover, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. Although much of the scheme has yet to be finalised,... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753773 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3753773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750047&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4ONAhOl5abU%2F By Ted Galen CarpenterWhen the United States first invaded Afghanistan, the objective was clear and direct: defeat al Qaeda and oust the Taliban regime that had given the terrorist organization a safe haven from which to plan the 9-11 attacks.   The mission has since become something very different—and utterly impractical.  U.S. officials now stress the goal of supporting an indigenous political structure that will provide security to the Afghan people and implement good governance (apparently under the enlightened leadership of Hamid Karzai and his corrupt henchmen).  Western military and civilian personnel are involved in everything from setting up schools to drilling wells to building roads.  They may avoid using the term nation–building, but that is clearly what is taking p... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750047 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:03:42 +0100 3750047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729837&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8682 In the Nutgraph today : Private healthcare: Too expensive? Universiti Malaya political economist Associate Professor Dr Terence Gomez says declining standards in government sectors have led the middle class to look for ways to bypass the public system. “The promotion of medical insurance has led to private healthcare being more affordable for the middle class,” he tells The Nut Graph in a phone interview. Rising private healthcare costs, however, have led to higher insurance premiums, coupled with lower coverage. Gomez says escalating private healthcare costs is therefore a political issue as well as an economic one. “The government faces a potential backlash from the middle class who don’t want to pay huge insurance premiums and yet are not willing to return to the public health s... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729837 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3729837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3702926&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8653 I spotted this sad tale A Tragic Incident at Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2010 (via Retna Vijayan) In this incident, a young runner collapsed during the marathon. While CPR was instituted by fellow marathon runners, and eventually (after 15-20 minutes) a St. John’s Ambulance arrived, this was the situation: …after we performed CPR procedures on Lim for the the third time, finally a St. John ambulance came after around 15 – 20 minutes after Lim collapsed… …we let the EMS officers to take over the CPR and First Aid… Dr. Visva asked whether do they have the AED(Automated External Defibrillator)… one of the person from the EMS said that they do not have it.. then I asked whether do they have a face mask with pump.. they also did not have it there… THEY PRACTIC... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3702926 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3702926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644732&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8599 An interesting article in Aliran which caught my eye and the example of one of the problems faced by even civil servants who are supposed to have healthcare provided by the Government Puan Rozita then gave a first-hand witness account of how she lost her husband, Encik Ahmad Nazri Ibrahim, as a result of the privatisation of the Prosthesis Procurement Services of the public hospitals and the bureaucratic procedures involved. Her husband Encik Ahmad Nazri Ibrahim, 48, suffered from shortness of breath one day and was rushed to a public hospital, where he was informed that he needed to have three stents inserted in his heart vessels to relieve the blockages. The cost: RM19,000, to be paid in cash or by a bank draft. The family did not have ready cash but had funds in the EPF. The EPF, howev... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644732 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3644732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640980&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8597 Whistle-blowing doctor should be protected: MMA I reproduce the MMA press release : Dr Selvaa Vathany & JHEOA MMA Press Release 4 June 2010 The MMA views with grave concern that Dr Selvaa Vathany continues to be facing more personal inquiries/investigations, with the latest being a show-cause letter from the JHEOA. We recognise the right of Dr Selvaa Vathany to act as a responsible and caring doctor. She has shown great personal conviction and concern about her role as a doctor to a group of often marginalised minority in our country, the Orang Asli. That she should place herself in possible jeopardy with regards her position and work in the Ministry of Health is to say the least, humanitarian and selfless. Her whistle-blowing regarding possible mismanagement and procedural opacitie... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640980 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3640980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635712&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8594 Once again the report in the papers on the issue of private hospital fees emerges and the DG was quoted to say Private hospital fees exorbitant; to be revised The government will revise the fees charged by private sector hospitals and clinics, Health Director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said. “The exorbitant fees now charged by private hospitals has been brought to my attention many times and the current schedule drawn by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) was not as comprehensive as it should be. “As such I have made it a point to call for a meeting soon with MMA to develop a comprehensive fee schedule that was acceptable to all,” he said in a special interview published in the latest issue of the MMA newsletter. He reminded doctors that the main reason for them to c... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635712 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3635712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635713&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8592 Indeed it is not science fiction but fact as the Malaysian Medical Association sees a drastic change, as just a tiny fraction of members who attended the 50th AGM, succeeded in amending the Constitution and in doing so, have done away with postal votes which has been a long standing tradition in the MMA (a necessary point as many doctors practicing in all parts of the country often can’t participate in the AGM directly). David Quek says The wants of a few triumph over the needs of many It was said in the last 2 AGM’s that only those that care for the association attend the AGM. The arrogance displayed by those in attendance was astounding and I was ashamed to have brought my friends in attendance to see grown man attack each other without regard for the professional image we st... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635713 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3635713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3617803&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8583 Yesterday was World No Tobacco Day and the theme this year is to combat the rising prevalence of cigarette smoking amongst adolescents and women in particular. One way to dissuade cigarette smoking is to ban sales of small cigarette packs (and hence presumably youngsters who are more inclined to buy the cheaper smaller packs). This was supposed to be enforced on June 1, 2010 but for some strange reason, the Government has decided to defer the ban. I can’t fathom the reason for this flip-flop decision since even the Tobacco companies are caught unaware by the deferment of the ban and they seemed all set to comply with the new regulation. Firms like JTI in fact are calling on the authorities to rescind the delay decision since they have already made preparations to comply. The ball is ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3617803 Sun, 30 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3617803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614507&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8578 The Health Ministry is working with the MMA to implement 1Care, a scheme whereby we should see “the government and private clinics working together to provide better healthcare for the people”. The Star reports: Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the scheme, once approved, would have an immediate impact on improving the country’s healthcare system while also addressing the scarce distribution of government clinics in Sabah and Sarawak. At present, there are 800 government health clinics nationwide with 6,500 general practitioners. “If we work together with the private clinics, we will be able to increase this number to more than 7,000 doctors nationwide,” Liow said at the MMA’s 50th annual general meeting on Friday night. Liow said the ministry was in discussion wi... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614507 Sat, 29 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585609&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdebunking-the-myths-of-mental-illness%2F2010.05.20 Misconceptions about mental health can have devastating effects on individuals, families and communities. National Alliance of Mental Illness’ Wendy Brennan talks with Dr. Jon LaPook about the importance of education and treatment. Watch CBS News Videos Online (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585609 Thu, 20 May 2010 22:00:58 +0100 3585609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577383&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkOhhFj1wo-k%2F By David BoazRand Paul’s landslide victory in the Kentucky Republican primary is being hailed as a big win for the Tea Party movement, a slap in the face to the Republican establishment, and maybe even as a harbinger of the rise of libertarian Republicanism. (Only 19 percent of Kentucky Republicans say they’re libertarians, but that’s got to be more than before the Rand Paul campaign.) It’s also a big loss for Washington neoconservatives, who warned in dire terms about the horrors of a Paul victory. Back in March, Jonathan Martin reported in Politico: Recognizing the threat, a well-connected former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney convened a conference call last week between Grayson and a group of leading national security conservatives to sound the alarm about ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577383 Wed, 19 May 2010 00:24:05 +0100 3577383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556043&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8548 It’s sad to read the report Hospital wants to ‘evict’ octogenarian Cheah Say Choo, 86, who has been bed-ridden at the hospital for three years and four months, is in a quandary as the hospital is asking her three children to take her home. “She does not want to be a burden to her family and neither does she want to be placed in a nursing home,” said her youngest son Chan Thye Choon, who added that his mother preferred family members to visit her at the hospital. Goodness. 3 years + in hospital? That seems to me like it’s a long overdue discharge. It was not uncommon years ago to have wards chock full of patients who had no where to go as relatives were not keen to look after them, particularly geriatric patients. In our Asian society extended family support is d... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556043 Tue, 11 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3556043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526742&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-and-life-insurance-companies-invested-in-fast-food%2F2010.05.03 A new article published in the American Journal of Public Health shows that U.S., Canadian, and European insurance firms hold $1.88 billion of investments in fast food companies like Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s/Arby’s Groups. Both health insurers and life insurers have substantial holdings in these companies. A person just needs to read “Fast Food Nation” or watch the documentary “Food, Inc.” to understand the negative impact of processed foods on the health of our country. The evidence is so compelling that the new health reform legislation is requiring fast food and chain restaurants to disclose calorie counts on their menus. Ironically, the new legislation will also add millions of customers to the health insurers. (mo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526742 Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3526742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3522610&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8531 According to the NST, the UKM Dean calls for new doctors to do compulsory service before working abroad A university dean wants the government to prevent newly-minted doctors from working abroad - unless they completed the minimum three-year compulsory service in Malaysia. Professor Datuk Dr Lokman Saim, the dean of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medicine Faculty and UKM Medical Centre director, made the call in view of the rising number of new graduate doctors intending to work in Singapore this year. “The government should only allow doctors trained at public universities to work abroad after completing the three-year compulsory public service for doctors, as stipulated by the health ministry,” he said in a statement here today. He noted that 20 out of UKM’s 209 m... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3522610 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3522610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487405&cid=t_391794_180_f&fid=38604&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmakeitgreat%2F%7E3%2FMJ8xj8jQfiM%2F Recently I got to spend 30 or so minutes with the author of the book and blog Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pam Slim. Pam and I met a few years back when I was starting my blog, and we’ve exchanged books and become friends. Her book was released last year, and for no good reason, I didn’t interview her then. This year, her book is out in paperback, and I LOVE the book, so I wanted to help her promote the book and share some insights with you. NOTE: Pam and I both agree, jumping out of the corporate America window is NOT for everybody. Even if that isn’t your thing, you can still learn a lot from our conversation about finding a mentor and more. Escape from Cubicle Nation Makes It Great from Phil Gerbyshak on Vimeo. It’s about 32 minutes long, and we did it on 2 takes. The first... Phil Gerbyshak blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487405 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:11:00 +0100 3487405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475776&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8507 In the wake of an apparent resurgence of H1N1 (the dreaded second wave despite official denial?) the DG has been quoted in the press urging “all doctors to provide the appropriate advice to patients showing symptoms linked to the Influenza A(H1N1) so they could seek the necessary treatment immediately.” The impression the Star article gives is that private doctors are not giving appropriate advice. Rather than this private doctor bashing, it would be more productive to remind all - patients and medical practitioners alike - on the current H1N1 guidelines. Here are the links again: MOH’s H1N1 Guidelines for Adults and Paediatric patients. Note that the “tools” used in the assessment of patients are clinical. Routine laboratory testing in the outpatient setting... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475776 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3475776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3457819&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Four-absolute-favorite-video-of-the-week-stephen-colbert-on-tiger-woods%2F By now you’ve seen the new Nike TV ad featuring Tiger Woods and the voice of his inquisitive (yet deceased) dad. Genius marketing, state-of-the-art technology, top-flight manipulation. But have you heard Ward Cleaver from Leave It to Beaver and Gene Wilder’s character from Young Frankenstein giving sage advice to ol’ Tiger? Much, much funnier. Check out this clip from an episode of The Colbert Report this week on Comedy Central: Post from: BlissTree Our Absolute Favorite Video of the Week: Stephen Colbert on Tiger Woods (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3457819 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:18:50 +0100 3457819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460134&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8486 The Star reports No compulsory Govt service for docs abroad for more than 10 years Malaysian doctors who have worked overseas for more than 10 years can now return to the country without having to undergo the three-year compulsory Government service. However, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the new ruling would only be applicable to those who had self-funded their own medical studies. The new ruling, aimed at attracting talented Malaysian overseas to return home, would not be applicable to those whose medical studies had been sponsored by the Government. It’s not a new “carrot” that the Government is dangling. It’s been bandied about in the press beofre as we mentioned in this post No more three year compulsory service for foreign based docs? back in ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460134 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3460134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429166&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTkO58KX2lDs%2F By David RittgersBrian Walsh of The Heritage Foundation and Paul Rosenzweig have a new book out, One Nation Under Arrest: How Crazy Laws, Rogue Prosecutors, and Activist Judges Threaten Your Liberty. For an example of how our federal criminal laws have morphed into a leviathan that threatens the liberty of average citizens, take the case of inventor and entrepreneur Krister Evertson: In May 2004, FBI agents driving a black Suburban and wearing SWAT gear ran Evertson off the road near his mother’s home in Wasilla, Alaska. When Evertson was face down on the pavement with automatic weapons trained on him, an FBI agent told him he was being arrested because he hadn’t put a federally mandated sticker on a UPS package. A jury in federal court in Alaska acquitted Evertson, but the fed... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429166 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:22:37 +0100 3429166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424820&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fshould-we-be-drugging-our-kids%2F When seven-year-old foster child Gabriel Myers hanged himself by a shower cord last year, all eyes turned to psychiatrist Dr. Sohail Punjwani, who had been treating the boy. The doctor had prescribed several powerful mental health drugs to Myers – some of which aren’t approved for use by kids, and had been linked to suicide among children. Image: istockphoto Every day, more and more youngsters around the country are being diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, and other emotional disorders. Some parents and doctors jump to the conclusion that every hyper kid has ADHD, or that every sad child suffers from depression and needs medication. Somewhat surprising is the fact that the FDA has officially approved only one antidepressant drug for the treatment of depression in chi... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424820 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:30:31 +0100 3424820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408341&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8444 Spotted in Dr. Hsu’s blog: A doctor too many II 24 medical schools in the list. More to come! Now, with 4000 doctors being produced in a year, where do we find so many houseman positions for these young doctors? Even now, with some of the medical schools just starting and not yet producing doctors, and the number of doctors being produced is much less than the 4000 , the wards in some of the bigger hospitals are filled with so many housemen that in some wards, there are not enough patients for these housemen to learn management skills. About a year back, I was told, in HKL some of the units have more than 20 housemen. Recently one doctor told me that in some units, it may have even more than that. I was aghast. Since with that many housemen in a single unit, and so few senior officer... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408341 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3408341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403837&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8440 Interesting take on the BM term for hospital, which is Rumah Sakit or literally Sick House. Our controversial medical blogger POTS has wrtten another Open Letter to the Health Minister on the Rumah Sakit Yang Sakit Mr. Minister of Health, The formation of the Queen- SMC-Likas-Lingzhi-Bukit Padang medical maze has brought total chaos to healthcare services in Sabah. The docile and unassuming Sabahan patients are constantly playing a wicked game of musical chairs, being transported around from one hospital to another according to their changing healthcare needs. We’ve blogged about the problems which beset QEH, Sabah and wonder when if ever will this be solved? Over to you Datuk Liow. from the Malaysian Medical Resources Sick House in Sabah (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403837 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3403837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395083&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8430 Malaysiakini quotes a medical practitioner: Malpractices alleged at 1Malaysia clinics A medical practitioner has criticised newly formed 1Malaysia clinics set up by the Ministry of Health for providing poor quality of medical services to patients, which include wrong prescription of medicines and wrong diagnoses. Dr T Jayabalan, who represents workers and the Malaysian Trade Union Council, claimed that a recent study he conducted in Kampar, Perak revealed that medical assistants in government clinics have been issuing wrong prescriptions to patients. He cautioned that the clinics, brainchild of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak which aimed to provide access to healthcare for all Malaysians nationwide, may also be affected by these malpractices as all of them are manned by medical assistant... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395083 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3395083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390733&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8426 The 19th World Congress of Neurology concluded recently in Bangkok, Thailand. This event is held once every four years by the World Federation of Neurology. The World Federation of Neurology is the body representing 100,000 neurologists world wide. On this occasion, it took place from October 24th -30th 2009 and was well attended by close to 4000 delegates from all over the world. It is considered the most important event in the calendar of neurologists globally. Assoc. Prof Dr Tan Kay Sin, President of the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was the national delegate to the World Federation of Neurology and this conference. Neurology is the study and medical practice related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. During this conference, t... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390733 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3390733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362379&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpVOquD3weiw%2F By Christopher PrebleThe question at National Journal’s Security Experts blog concerning NATO and the future of Europe has stimulated quite a spirited debate. I decided to take another bite at the apple. My response: Gordon Adams objects to the framing of the question, arguing that Europe is more important than ever because European governments have chosen to invest in civilians, not men and women at arms. In this context, Europe’s military weakness is a feature, not a bug. Dan Serwer agrees, saying that the “Europeans are on to something,” that their civilian capabilities are vast, that they’ve been deployed in 22 different operations, and are involved in a dozen currently. But even if they have such capabilities, all the soft power in the world isn’t w... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362379 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:47:53 +0100 3362379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335279&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8366 The Star reports Doctors wanted at 162 health clinics The Health Ministry invites application from private doctors who are registered with the Malaysian Medical Council and fulfil the service requirement to serve at the 162 government health clinics nationwide. Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said they could work at the clinics on “sessional” or “locum” basis and be paid RM80 per hour. The working hours is from 8am to 5pm on normal working days (sessional), while the extended time is from 5pm to 9.30pm on Monday to Friday and 8am to noon on Saturday (locum), he said in a statement. You can download the application form here (Word format) Service requirements: 3.3 Kelayakan dan syarat perkhidmatan Doktor-doktor Swasta yang ingin berkhidmat di klinik kerajaan perl... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335279 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294556&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8347 Malaysiakini reports: A demonstration will be held outside four public hospitals on March 1 against the government’s partial privatisation of the facilities. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will coordinate the action outside the hospitals in Johor Bahru, Alor Setar, Serdang and Sungai Buloh. Among the groups taking part are Pakatan Rakyat component parties, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress and the Kedah branch of Malay NGO Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras). The two- hour demonstration will kick off at noon and will be followed by the submission of a memorandum to the hospital authorities Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar, the national coordinator of the protest, has made a suggestion, which is “Follow the pay scale of the doctors at the National Heart Institute (IJN by its ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294556 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271017&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8322 Malaysiakini has run this news article Doc spills beans on Orang Asli hospital A doctor from the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA) Hospital, Gombak has made startling claims of rampant malpractice, misappropriation of resources and other wrongdoings by its staff. Dr KP Selvaa Vathany (left), who has been attached to the hospital since March last year, made the claims today in order to pressure the authorities into conducting a proper investigation. “The hospital has deviated from its original objective, which is to provide healthcare provisions and medical services to the Orang Asli people,” she said, during the press conference at the Bar Council headquarters, yesterday. She was accompanied by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bar Council’s Orang A... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271017 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3271017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251181&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8293 While it is laudable to place incentives for organ donation, one wonders if 42 days unrecorded leave for civil servants is rather excessive. It seems like a classic “give an inch and they’ll ask for a mile” when Cuepacs thinks 42 days is not enough, and is asking for 60 days. What about employees in the private sector? Are civil servants so special they need 42 days leave? There is the caveat “as long as deemed necessary by a specialist” but I think this is a flexible discretion which can be used/abused to take advantage of the maximum allowed leave. Somehow I think we aren’t going to see a flood of civil servants volunteering their kidneys or whatever so I guess this is just a moot discussion. But I suggest the powers that be spell out more specific cri... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251181 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3251181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251179&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8305 In Bolehland, flip flop policies are the norm. At first we read that Senator Datuk T. Murugiah “was looking at increasing doctors’ compulsory service in public hospitals to between five and 10 years” and now the Health Minister says it may be shortened from the current 5 to 4 years. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the government is studying the possibility of shortening the doctors’ compulsory service in public hospitals. He said the ministry was hoping to come up with the decision by this year. “The ministry is looking at four years of service (two years of housemanship and two years of compulsory service) compared to five years (three years of housemanship and two years of compulsory service) now,” he told reporters after launching B-Nes Sdn Bhd, a com... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251179 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3251179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231439&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8283 Dengue is endemic and periodically we see spikes in the number of cases, and inevitably there will be deaths. MI reports SHAH ALAM, Feb 2 — Selangor health officials are bracing to contain an anticipated sharp increase in dengue cases following 11 deaths, eight of which happened in the state last month. “According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the number of dengue cases spike in two year cycles and the situation this year may get out of control if not contained.” state health executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar told The Malaysian Insider. Dr Xavier, who disclosed that 1,895 cases of dengue were reported in Selangor for January, chaired an emergency meeting with state and local government health officials where he described the situation as alarming. It is understood th... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231439 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3231439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227984&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2Flilly_settles_mississippi_zyprexa_claims_for_185_million.html News is out that Eli Lilly has settled yet another lawsuit with yet another state over claims that the company illegally marketed its antipsychotic Zyprexa for unapproved uses. This time out it's $18.5 million to the State of Mississippi. That brings Lilly's total settlements to date to around $2.8 billion and there's still more to go. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227984 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3227984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223221&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8272 Disappointed Doctor writes in to the MMR: I am a medical doctor who was educated overseas and worked in Australia for several years and recently decided to return to Malaysia to serve the country. As a professional working overseas I heard about the ‘Program bagi mengalakkan warganegara Malaysia yang berpakaran yang bekerja di luar negara pulang ke Malaysia’ and therefore applied for it. I was very disappointed when they rejected my application on the grounds that it was sent after I returned to Malaysia. Apparently it was meant to be sent whilst I was still in Australia. I find this a very poor excuse given the fact that Malaysia is trying to lure back its citizens to work for them. It discourages professionals such as me from having to bear the burden to return but not have a... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223221 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3223221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212293&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8265 Reductil is an anti-obesity drug which is a prescription only item which means you should not be able to purchase it OTC (or Over The Counter) in a pharmacy. It has potential for some serious side-effects and recent news is the drug is now Banned in Europe One of the country’s most commonly prescribed anti-obesity drugs has been banned across Europe after it was blamed for increasing patients’ chances of suffering a heart attack or a stroke. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) ordered doctors across the continent to stop prescribing sibutramine and told pharmacists not to dispense the drug, which is marketed in the UK as Reductil. The watchdog’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) acted after a study of 9,800 patients said the risks of sibutramine outwei... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212293 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3212293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212294&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8260 This was pointed out in the MMR Forums (Doctors section): Does MSQH, or even MoH for that matter, realise that the use of the term or name “Clinic” when it is NOT manned by a Registered Medical Practitioner, is in violation of the law, specifically Medical Act 1971 Act 50 - Medical Act 1971 LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 50 MEDICAL ACT 1971* PART V GENERAL 33. (1) Any person not registered or exempted from registration under this Act who (…) (e) practises medicine or surgery; or (f) uses the term clinic or dispensary or hospital or the equivalent or any of there terms in any other language in the signboard over his place of practice in purported practice of medicine or surgery as a person registered under this Act; or (g) uses a symbol designed by the Council for the use of registe... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212294 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3212294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208657&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fastrazeneca_exec_was_pressed_to_lie_about_seroquel_weight_gain.html Well, this ought to be fun for AstraZeneca to explain in court. The BBC is reporting that a former UK AZ executive was pressed by AZ marketing execs to lie about weight gain issues with Seroquel in the late-1990s. "John Blenkinsop, the company's former UK medical manager, claimed he was pressurised by the company's marketing arm to approve claims about the drug which he felt did not reflect the medical evidence. "'The clinical studies at the time of the launch of Seroquel showed patients developed significant weight gain, significant both statistically and clinically,' he told the BBC's File on 4. "'They [the marketing team] came at me with a number of potential claims all of which were trying to intimate that Seroquel was not associated with weight gain - the data pointed in the opposi... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208657 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3208657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3204825&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8251 The recent introduction of the 1Malaysia clinics has more political connotations than a genuine attempt at providing quality healthcare to the poor. Clinics run by medical assistants with the minimal of equipment is to me a waste of public funds. As a person who has worked for many years with medical assistants, I can attest to the fact that the government is toying with the health of the public in order to earn some political points. The quality of medical assistants is suspect, from the selection of candidates to their training methods. Many of these medical assistants lack basic aptitude to practice medicine. Some are even poorly qualified. Training of medical assistants are different and hardly involves the rigours of medical schools. Their diagnostic ability is questionable. Their rol... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3204825 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3204825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178749&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8226 If you think 20+ medical schools are not enough for Malaysia, UTAR will be starting theirs, and the intake is in May 2010. The Star reports Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (Utar) new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will hold its first intake in May, at a cost of about RM50,000 a year, a fraction of what parents would have to pay for medical courses in other local private universities.The Higher Education Ministry has just approved the faculty’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme and the faculty will accept an initial 50 students this year. Housed at the varsity’s Sg Long campus in Selangor, the MBBS programme will cost RM50,000 per annum and around RM250,000 for the entire five-year course. A memorandum of agreement was also signed with the Health ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178749 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3178749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3176104&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Freuters_catches_up_with_fs_on_medicating_toddlers.html On Jan. 4, I let you all know about a study just out in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (and it's still not online) concerning the doubling of antipsychotic use in toddlers aged 2 to 5. Well almost two weeks later the Reuters wire service reports on the study and notes that much of the uptick in toddlers is connected so-called child bipolar disorder. "'The psychiatric diagnosis of very young children is anything but an exact science,' said Harry Tracy, a psychologist and publisher of NeuroInvestment, a monthly publication specializing in central nervous system disorders. "'Such disparate causes as ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, sexual abuse, and family dysfunction can produce very similar symptoms in a toddler.'" You don't say. After banging on ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3176104 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3176104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167432&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fninth_grader_busted_for_seroquel_dealing.html It seems like hardly a week passes when I don't see news of someone getting popped for dealing Seroquel or illegal Seroquel possession. This time out a ninth grader in upstate New York was the alleged dealer: "The boy was caught with the pills after another student was brought to the nurse’s office Thursday morning for a reported drug overdose, sheriff’s officials said Monday. The student, who left his classroom unable to walk straight or speak clearly, told school staff and the school resource officer that he had bought the pill from the ninth-grader, who was selling pills for $1 each. The boy was taken to Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston for treatment." The article actually describes Seroquel as an anti-depressant. Sure it is. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167432 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3167432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164024&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fbecause_seroquel_can_consume_you.html Yes, those Seroquel for bipolar depression ads--bipolar depression can "consume" you, didn't ya know?--keep airing on TV and are in several major magazines. What's interesting is that the print ads contain five accompanying pages of warnings and precautions attached to use of the drug. Because apparently there's a chance Seroquel can consume you. See BNET for a visual of the print ads. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164024 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156437&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8213 This just out in Malaysiakini: The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) will file a formal charge against forensics expert Dr Abdul Karim Tajudin of Hospital Serdang who conducted the first post-mortem on deceased police detainee A Kugan. Lawyer N Surendran, who is representing Kugan’s family, told Malaysiakini that the MMC held an inquiry yesterday and cross-examined the deceased’s mother M Indra on the complaint against Abdul Karim for professional misconduct. “They felt that there was substance in the complaint and decided to file a formal charge against him,” he said. The complaint was lodged March last year urging for an independent investigation to probe why there were significant differences in the first and second post-mortem procedures conducted on Kugan. Strang... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156437 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3156437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146188&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F12yearold_busted_for_seroquel_possession.html When a 12-year-old girl in Florida gets busted for possession and intent to distribute Seroquel, then the easy availability of psych meds has gotten way, way out of hand. She reportedly got the drug, along with a painkiller from a 16-year-old. That's out of hand too. The girl was apparently OD'ing at home, her mother figured it out and got her to a hospital. What the hell is happening to this country? (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146188 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3146188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3145942&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8201 Last I checked, this is an oil rich state yet I find it disturbing to read a report that Government surgical facilities in Terengganu out of action Almost all the operating theatres in government hospitals in the state are not functioning. And Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said is not amused. Ahmad also expressed disappointment over the delay in the completion of operating theatres in several hospitals in the state, saying it was a loss to the Government and could jeopardise the lives of patients. The operating theatre in Besut Hospital has been delayed by six years, the one in Kemaman Hospital by three to four years, while the one in Setiu Hospital has been delayed by nearly seven years. The problems faced by other operating theatres in the state include bug infestation and leaks. It is learn... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3145942 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3145942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142805&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2Fpolypharmacy_doubles_in_ten_years.html Conclusions: There has been a recent significant increase in polypharmacy involving antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. While some of these combinations are supported by clinical trials, many are of unproven efficacy. These trends put patients at increased risk of drug-drug interactions with uncertain gains for quality of care and clinical outcomes." Actually, almost all psychotropic polypharmacy is not supported by clinical trials (there are exceptions when it comes to mood stabilizer plus atypical for bipolar disorder, where there are FDA approvals for such combos) and there aren't even many post-marketing meta studies on these kinds of combinations (your Prozac plus Depakote plus Abilify kind of nonsense). So the almost doubling of polypharmacy from the mid-90s to the mid-00s... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142805 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3142805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139020&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8186 Dr. David Quek has posted some insightful comments on the Government’s 1Malaysia Clinics plan by senior members of the MMA. There are also some hints at what went on in the planning of the 1Malaysia Clinics programme. On paper it all sounds noble but I am not sure if we can emulate the paramedical clinic services conducted in western countries where highly trained nurses (often degree holders) are given extra training for specific tasks only and given strict protocols to adhere to when conducting such “clinics”. Will there be enough of such properly trained paramedical staff in the first place? There is already a shortage of nurses in hospitals as the better experienced ones are flocking to other countries abroad where the pay is higher. I suppose at the end of the day t... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139020 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3139020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139019&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8190 Dr. David Quek asked me to post this: There is an sms going around asking MMA members to demonstrate and hold placards within the MMA house. Please note that this has not been endorsed by the MMA Council and will not be sanctioned by the MMA, because, the majority of our leaders are opposed to such action. YB Dato Sri Minister just called me personally to clarify, and he hoped to help clarify and reassure the doctors and GPs about this clinic issue. Pls give him a chance. Dialogue Meeting with Minister of Health and MOH officials : Friday 8 January 2010, Putrajaya MOH Block E7, Conference Room, 3.00 to 4.30pm. Doctors and GPs are encouraged to come in droves to show our concerted strength. Dr. David Quek from the Malaysian Medical Resources 1Malaysia - Dialogue & false SMS warning (S... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139019 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3139019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129481&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8154 While we await resumption of the inquest in January 2010, we wonder if the local pathologists will get a Thai black eye if the second post-mortem concludes that Teoh Beng Hock was murdered? There was another pathologist from UK so we would also want to know his views. from the Malaysian Medical Resources Was it murder? (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129481 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3129481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108534&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fmajor_problems_in_illinois_with_foster_kids_psych_meds.html The Chicago Tribune had a short piece a couple of weeks ago detailing that hundreds of foster kids in the Illinois state system were winding up on psych meds without consent and without approval of the state program. That's apparently an improvement over a few years ago when many more kids were getting them without consent. Even more stunning is that 9 percent of foster kids in Illinois have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and methinks those can't be all troubled teens (the paper doesn't get at how young some of the kids are). "'This is a really concerning statistic,' said Dr. Michael Naylor, a University of Illinois at Chicago psychiatrist who reviews psychotropic medicine regimens for the state Department of Children and Family Services. Naylor said he worries that drug firms' mark... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108534 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3108534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3101048&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fseroquel_for_bipolar_depression_tv_ads_running.html I haven't seen myself yet, since they are reportedly running regionally until the New Year, but I've heard from readers and have read one press account of a wave of TV, print and online ads touting Seroquel, the truly nasty atypical antipsychotic, for bipolar depression. I presume these ads will soon morph into a Seroquel as an add-on depression treatment soon enough. You can get a feel for the ads on the Seroquel website. “Bipolar depression doesn't just affect you--it can consume you,” state the ads. Oh really? That's quite the statement. I'll have more to say about the TV ads when I see one. There was an ad for Seroquel as a bipolar depression treatment on the New York Times main web page last evening. Hopefully, we don't get Quell ads on MySpace and such this time out (yes, AZ was... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3101048 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3101048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3097039&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fsuspicious_antipsychotics_for_depression_study_comes_into_question.html I was bothered by a study that appeared in the American Journal of Psychiatry back in September which argued that atypical antipsychotics used as add-on treatments to anti-depressants were much more effective than a placebo add-on. The study was by J. Craig Nelson of UCSF and George Papakostas of Harvard/MGH. I was suspicious of the study's findings, which I wrote about in September, since I'm fairly up to speed on the clinical literature and seen only weak effect sizes of atypicals used this way. The reason I am bringing this up is because the great CL Psych has posted something on his blog this week on this study and utterly guts it. (A link to the study is on my original post.) My suspicions then: "Now, here's why you should be very suspicious of the apparent epic victory over placebo... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3097039 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3097039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092909&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fantiagitation_drug_submitted_for_fda_approval.html Alexza Pharmaceuticals announced today that it's submitted a new drug application for Staccato loxapine (AZ-004). It's an inhalant designed to be used to address cases of agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Much of that agitation is often caused by other active treatments patients may be taking (anti-depressants, anti-seizure drugs, antipsychotics), so it does seem a bit wild that a company has developed a drug to deal with it, but that's the way it goes in the mental health world. Loxapine itself is a typical antipsychotic that is so seldom used that I've never heard of it before now. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092909 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3092909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089534&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Ffda_approves_zyprexa_injectable.html After many attempts and many years, Lilly has gotten the FDA to approve Relprevv, its long-acting Zyprexa injectable, for he treatment of schizophrenia. God help any patient who ends up on it. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089534 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3089534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084965&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fseroquel_ad_on_new_york_times_website.html I am thoroughly discouraged to report that I was just on the the New York Times' website and right there on the main splash page was a flash ad for Seroquel. I've not seen an ad for any psych med on that site before, so I found it startling. The ad read: "My relationships, my family, my work, my life" and then flashed to "Support and resources for living with bipolar depression. Sign up for a patient support program." That program is called "Thinking Forward," "A Program Designed to Help You Keep Moving in the Right Direction." I assume that direction would be taking lots of Seroquel. If you want to sign up for the program and see what kind of garbage AstraZeneca sends your way, go here. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084965 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3084965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084752&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8122 The NST reported that an International Medical University is planned in the state of Perak. An international medical university will be built in Perak next year in collaboration with several leading universities, mainly from India, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said yesterday. He said the project, which would involve an investment of RM7 billion to RM8 billion, had been planned for the past two years through private initiatives and the state government would have equity in it. “It’s some kind of (university) consortium. Initially, the Malaysian-based company will invest RM300 million. We hope they can start operation by next year with a minimum intake. They can have pre-university courses first,” he said at a meeting with Malaysian students in the United... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084752 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3084752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079553&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Flilly_new_mexico_settle_zyprexa_case_for_155_million.html Not much to say about this, but New Mexico on Monday settled its claims that Eli Lilly had off-label marketed its antipsychotic Zyprexa for unapproved uses. New Mexico becomes the 39th state to reach some kind of financial settlement with the drugmaker over allegations concerning Zyprexa. Six more states have outstanding cases against Lilly. Lilly's total tab for Zyprexa settlements is now over $2.8 billion, by my estimate. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079553 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3079553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3066988&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8113 Malaysiakini has the news on an alleged Overpriced hospital, another public funds ’sink hole’ in Shah Alam If it is true, it’s a familiar story in this country. People are awarded contracts for large projects, irrespective of whether or not the firm has a track record or is even capable of carrying it out. Never mind, because the project will be sub-contracted to someone else (after skimming off a substantial sum). If that someone else cannot do it, then yet another sub-contract job. It goes on and on, and there will be more skimming off at each level until the project is finally completed at a hugely escalated cost. Shoddy work is often encountered as sub-sub-sub contractors end up with a smaller sum and they may want to “cut corners” to save money. Not surpr... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3066988 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3066988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063452&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fantidepressants_antipsychotics_worst_drugs_for_falls_in_elderly.html One of the biggest risks of injury faced by the elderly comes from falls and their attendant broken bones and joints. Of course, researchers have linked anti-depressants to falls by the elderly before and last month the Archives of Internal Medicine had a fascinating meta-study analyzing what classes of drugs commonly given to the elderly created the greatest risks of falls. This is the first time I've seen antipsychotics linked to such falls, not that it surprises me. I'll just list the drug class and odds ratio in order: 1. Anti-Depressants 1.68 2. Antipsychotics 1.59 3. Benzodiazapines 1.57 4. Sedatives 1.47 5. Anti-Hypertensives 1.24 6. NSAIDs 1.21 7. Beta Blockers 1.01 8. Narcotics (presumably painkillers) .96 I think those numbers speak for themselves. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063452 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3063452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059882&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Ffda_reviewers_recommend_review_of_antipsychoticinduced_weight_gain_in_kids.html The FDA has known this is a problem for years but it's only now that FDA reviewers are recommending that the agency formally review its data on antipsychotic-induced weight gain in kids. I assume they felt pushed to do so due to a JAMA study released in late October which outlined explosive weight gain in kids being put on antipsychotics. So now the FDA is going to get into the game. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059882 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3059882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059881&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fzyprexa_gets_fda_approval_for_use_in_adolescents.html Yesterday and today have got to be red-letter days in stupidity at the FDA. Yesterday, the agency approved the antipsychotic Seroquel as an add-on treatment for depression. Today, the agency approved Zyprexa, the controversial diabetes-inducing antipsychotic, for use in adolescents aged 13 to 17 who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or who have manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder. Zyprexa has been widely used off-label for these two indications in people younger than 18 for years and with the drug going off-patent in less than 18 months, it's not clear to me what these new indications do for Lilly. I have little else to say. I am so thoroughly disgusted by two days of dubious approvals by the FDA that I want to go sit in a corner and vomit. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059881 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3059881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059880&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Fseroquel_gets_fda_approval_for_use_in_10yearolds.html Yes, the FDA--in addition to giving Seroquel approval for use as an add-on depression treatment in adults--has also approved this nasty drug for use in adolescents aged 13 to 17 and diagnosed with schizophrenia and in kids and teens aged 10 to 17 who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a controversial concept in pre-pubertal kids. I simply cannot wait to see whatever promotion AZ does for so-called pediatric bipolar disorder. If you see any ad of any kind for this drug's use in kids and teens, please let me know about it. The fact that the FDA would approve this drug with its many known problems for use in kids calls into question the FDA approval process and also the FDA's commitment to patient safety and scientific evidence. Yet again. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059880 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3059880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056857&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Ffda_approves_seroquel_as_addon_treatment_for_depression.html News broke late last night that AstraZeneca announced that hte FDA has approved Seroquel XR, an atypical antipsychotic, as an add-on treatment for depression. It's been eight months since an FDA panel very gingerly recommended this approval and the agency took an unusually long time to follow through. That should tell you something. The FDA made a bad choice here. Good luck to patients with the weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, muscle tightening, dead in the head feeling and back pain. Can't wait to see if AZ advertises Seroquel on TV. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056857 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3056857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056856&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2Flittleknown_tc5214_touted_as_effective_antidepressant_despite_little_evidence.html Yesterday, AstraZeneca announced it had licensed TC-5214, a compound with alleged anti-depressant qualities, from Targacept. Turns out TC-5214 was developed by researchers at the University of South Florida and today there was an article in the Tampa Tribune on how much money USF might make if the drug pans out. Then a USF official said: "Holbrook compared TC-5214 to the drug Abilify, or aripiprazole, commonly used in treatment of major depression disorder. "'We have a drug here that is two to three times more effective than Abilify without the side effects,' Holbrook said." Abilify is not commonly-used in the treatment of major depression, so that's an error of fact by the reporter. What's more, claiming that the compound is two to three times as effective as Abilify in treating depre... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056856 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3056856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056638&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.euro.who.int%2FDocument%2FE88086.pdf The following post by Karen Nielsen, President of Nielsen & Associates, LLC, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Karen Nielsen has worked in the health care field for over 20 years, predominately focused on collaborative efforts between private and public organizations. Ms. Nielsen consults with industry and non-government organizations (NGOs) to identify and enable public health-centered solutions. A young girl in Africa awakens early to fetch water for her families’ daily needs. She will need to make multiple trips, carrying the largest volume possible to shorten the task. This daily ritual can take 3 hours or more. For these young girls there will be no school, basic necessities of life a... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056638 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:15:53 +0100 3056638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026643&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8085 From The Star Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai says the public can soon seek medical treatment at private clinics without having to pay a hefty sum. The government is considering paying a portion of the bill under a proposed healthcare reform plan. Considering is still some way to go before implementation and we don’t know the details…. from the Malaysian Medical Resources Government to subsidise treatment at private clinics (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026643 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3026643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015454&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fgeodon_gets_new_approval.html As an adjunct treatment for bipolar disorder combined with either Depakote or Lithium. No comment. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015454 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3015454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015453&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fabilify_gets_fda_approval_for_autism_irritability.html The FDA today approved the atypical antipsychotic Abilify for the treatment of irritability associated with autism in pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years old. I'll leave it at that. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015453 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3015453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008381&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fseroquel_lawsuits_back_to_home_courts.html Many of you are aware that there is a complex, class action lawsuit against AstraZeneca in federal district court in Florida. Yesterday, the judge in the case said she'd urge a panel of judges to send 6,000 lawsuits against AZ over various accusations involving Seroquel back to their original state courts. While this will slow down the litigation for plaintiffs, the reality is that this might be good news for injured parties, as the federal court judge was engaging in some wacky rulings and throwing out cases and evidence, according to a participant in the proceedings I've spoken with. We shall see. Overall, AZ faces 14,000 Seroquel-related lawsuits. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008381 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3008381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999848&cid=t_391794_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQ9nbEgjH6rg%2F Dozens of researchers, clinicians, and ethicists sent a letter asking the NIH to fund research on medical ethics, conflicts of interest, and industry influence on prescribing behavior. Why? They note that stimulus funding has increased the NIH budget significantly, but the agency has “no mechanism for funding research on how commercial interests affect the choice of medical therapeutics.” In their Nov. 17 letter, they write NIH director Francis Collins that the “NIH funds a substantial portion of the generation and dissemination of evidence, but the uptake of that evidence and its translation into clinical practice is strongly affected by the complex web of relationships that exists among industry, academicians, medical educators and clinicians… “..we ask that... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999848 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:41:10 +0100 2999848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999833&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fastrazeneca_whines_about_chicago_tribunes_seroquel_coverage_1.html Yesterday, a letter to the editor appeared in the Chicago Tribune, penned by AZ's chief spokesman Tony Jewell and critical of a recent article in the paper concerning the company's antipsychotic Seroquel. The paper had written about AZ giving $490,000 to a Chicago psychiatrist who prescribed tons of Seroquel, plenty of it off-label, and also authored a study claiming patients lost weight on the drug. In part, it reads (via Soulful Sepulcher): "Since first approved in 1997 for the treatment of schizophrenia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Seroquel as safe and effective for three indications in bipolar disorder, as well as in a new formulation for additional treatments in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Today Seroquel and Seroquel XR are the only medicines approved a... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999833 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2999833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996011&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fresearchers_ignore_problems_with_meds_in_early_deaths_blame_smoking_no_exercise.html A new study out in General Hospital Psychiatry blames smoking and inactivity for heart disease related deaths among people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. No mention is made of the role of antipsychotics and other medications in this dynamic. From Medicalnewstoday.com: "A large new study confirms that people with severe mental disorders - such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders - are 25 percent to 40 percent more prone to die from heart disease than people without mental illness are. "Moreover, smoking and physical inactivity - behaviors that individuals potentially can change - significantly contribute to this increased risk of death, found researchers led by Amy Kilbourne, Ph.D." The study was among people in the VA system. Interestingly, inactivity was a... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996011 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2996011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993746&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuKrznrefbVg%2F When the Bush administration started its misguided adventure in Iraq, the president and his Neocon chorus presumed that the U.S. would be acquiring a loyal, even obseqious ally.  With the American-subsidized bank embezzler Ahmed Chalabi in charge, Baghdad would create a Western-style democracy, enshrine women’s rights, recognize Israel, provide the U.S. with permanent military bases, and offer a new market for American businesses. Alas, we’ve struck out:  zero for five.  Although America’s uber-hawks bridled at reference to our “occupation” of Iraq, Iraqis had no hesitation in using the word and surprised the Bushies by demanding a deadline for the withdrawal of American forces.  And Iraqi opposition to the U.S. occupation has affected their attitude t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993746 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:40:43 +0100 2993746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989385&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fbritish_government_to_limit_antipsychotic_use_for_dementia.html Bloomberg today reports on the British government taking steps to drastically reduce the use of antipsychotics in treating elders with dementia. A recent report estimated that upwards of 1,800 Brits die each year after getting the drugs for dementia and another 1,620 suffer strokes. Keep in mind that all that dementia-Rxing would be off-label bother in the UK and USA. "About 180,000 elderly people with dementia in the U.K. are given the antipsychotic drugs each year, and just 20 percent improve because of the treatment, Banerjee said at a press conference in London. As many as two-thirds of the patients don’t derive any benefit from the pills, which boost the risk of early death and carry a range of side effects including sedation, stiff muscles, and trouble thinking and speaking clearl... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989385 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2989385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2985008&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Fpsychiatrist_got_490000_pimping_for_seroquel_engaged_in_wide_offlabel_use.html Back in March, I wrote about a Chicago psychiatrist, Michael Reinstein, who was bugging AstraZeneca for money because he was such a heavy prescriber of Seroquel and who also authored a very dubious study asserting that Seroquel caused patients to lose weight. That's absolutely counter to most studies of the drug and most patient experiences. Anyway, today the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica are out with an article on Reinstein and his AZ connection. AZ gave the doctor $490,000 over 10 years to speak on behalf of the drug, even though the company was internally pooh-poohing his science. One researcher quoted in the article recommends that other studies of Reinstein's should be reviewed by journal editors, given his likely errors in the Seroquel-causes-weight-loss article. The reporters also... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2985008 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2985008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2985007&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2Futah_settles_zyprexa_claims_for_24_million.html The office of Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff today announced that it had recently settled its illegal off-label marketing of Zyprexa claims with Eli Lilly for $24 million. Said Shurtleff's office in a press release: "It is a crime for pharmaceutical manufacturers to market their drugs for uses that are not approved by the FDA. Zyprexa was only approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and certain types of bipolar disorder in adults, but in 1999, Lilly's long-term care sales force, its marketing branch that focuses on doctors who treat the elderly, began encouraging doctors to prescribe Zyprexa for dementia, Alzheimer's, agitation, aggression, hostility, depression and generalized sleep disorder without prior FDA approval. The Attorney General's investigation showed that there we... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2985007 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2985007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2973895&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8051 Rocky calls it the Docs of War and points to two blogs (Sakmongkol and BigDogDotCom). I have no idea what is happening but this I can say - I don’t think doctors in general should run hospitals. At the end of the day there will be too much conflict of interest. Hospitals should be run by those properly trained to run hospitals. The other big issue is of course what IJN was set up to be. As the premier heart hospital in the country, it needs to be the centre of training and research for heart disease. How far has it come after all these years> Where are things headed now? Related posts: Malaysiakini: Sime Darby drops IJN plan A letter to the Sun on the IJN issue The slippery slope of corporatised healthcare Sime Darby eyes IJN from the Malaysian Medical Resources Whatever is happening... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2973895 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2973895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946881&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8022 Dr. David Quek, MMA President, has penned his opinion on Budget 2010: What’s in it for health care? . Long but interesting read. David concludes: Thus overall, the Budget 2010 for health care has been more noise than substance, and is quite disappointing, with a few shocks and regressive suggestions which are at best impractical, but at worst even contradictory, to our existing system and regulations. We urge the government and the MOH to help resolve some of these incongruities by tapping, perhaps integrating, existing services such as urban private GP clinics, and engage and enhance greater public-private partnerships. We must move towards better and a more consistent maintenance culture for our existing health facilities and management so that they function at tip top, zero-defect eff... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946881 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2946881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944071&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fastrazeneca_to_pay_feds_520_million_to_settle_seroquel_claims.html Just out this morning in AZ's third quarter financial results is this little whopper: "Agreement in principle reached with the US Attorney`s Office in Philadelphia to resolve its investigations related to Seroquel sales and marketing practices. This accounts for $520 million of the $538 million provisions taken in the first nine months, $108 million of which taken in third quarter." I don't have any more details on this yet, so stay tuned. Excepting J&J/Janssen, all the makers of atypicals have agreed to settlements with the feds over illegal marketing. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944071 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2944071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934932&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fjama_study_slaughters_antipsychotics_for_kids_teens_paradigm.html Late yesterday I got a copy of the JAMA study detailing how kids and teens on atypical antipsychotics are putting on lots of weight very quickly and suffering detriments on just about every metabolic measure researchers looked at (my initial post is here). I'll come to the study itself in a moment as well as the accompanying editorial, but first I wanted to note that I have been banging on the kids-on-meds issue (especially atypicals) for three years and have taken a ton of heat in the process. I feel vindicated by this new study and other recent studies tossing cold water on various treatment paradigms involving kids and many of you should feel vindicated as well. I remember how gingerly I first took on the subject in November 2006 and how many of you kicked me in the pants and told me to... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934932 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2934932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934933&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fjama_study_finds_explosive_weight_gain_in_kids_on_antipsychotics.html A study to be published in JAMA tomorrow finds staggering weight gain in kids given antipsychotics. According to the AP: "Children on widely used psychiatric drugs can quickly gain an alarming amount of weight; many pack on nearly 20 pounds and become obese within just 11 weeks, a study found. "'Sometimes this stuff just happens like an explosion. You can actually see them grow between appointments,' said Dr. Christopher Varley, a psychiatrist with Seattle Children's Hospital who called the study 'sobering.' "Weight gain is a known possible side effect of the anti-psychotic drugs which are prescribed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but also increasingly for autism, attention deficit disorders and other behavior problems. The new study in mostly older children and teens suggests ... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934933 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2934933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923452&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Flilly_settles_south_carolina_zyprexa_claims_for_45_million.html News is out that the State of South Carolina nad Eli Lilly have reached a $45 million settlement over the state's lawsuit against Lilly over its handling of Zyprexa. "South Carolina and other states argued Eli Lilly: "Did not properly warn of the drug’s side effects, including heart problems, diabetes, hyperglycemia and an increased risk of death in patients with dementia. "Falsely marketed the drug to treat other illnesses, including depression and attention deficit disorder." Oh yes. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923452 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2923452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920468&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fbloomberg_dubs_abilify_a_mood_stabilizer.html In writing up BMS's third-quarter financials yesterday, two reporters at ordinarily-hyper-accurate Bloomberg described BMS's Abilify as a "mood stabilizer" twice in one article. Um, the drug is an antipsychotic and absolutely no one calls it a mood stabilizer, least of all BMS itself. Why Bloomberg is helping them rebrand the drug with a softer image is beyond me. Abilify sales were up 16 percent in the quarter at $653 million in sales. That's a pretty hefty boost. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920468 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2920468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920471&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fnami_board_member_was_paid_consultant_to_astrazeneca_on_seroquel.html Very big props to Jim Edwards at bnet.com and to whomever handed off some documents to him which reveal that Jim Dailey, then policy director of NAMI Kentucky and a NAMI National Board member, received $600 from AstraZeneca (at the time fighting to get market share for its antipsychotic Seroquel) in return for acting as a consultant for the company for one day in December 2003. You can obtain the document--essentially a contract between AZ and Dailey plus an itinerary of his meeting with AZ--at bnet.com. Also attending the meeting were NAMI National's executive director Michael Fitzpatrick and Chuck Harmon, NAMI's director of corporate relations. To be discussed at the meeting, according to the document, was a presentation by AZ officials of what it saw as the role of advocacy groups in h... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920471 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2920471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916421&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fforest_labs_bullish_on_experimental_antipsychotic.html In an earnings call with investment analysts on Tuesday, Larry Olanoff, Forest Labs' COO, spoke of the company's new atypical antipsychotic Cariprazine, which is currently in phase 2 clinical trials. "Going further back into the question on Cariprazine, I would say that at this present time, we have very positive data in bipolar mania disorder, which potentially as a pivotal trial and clearly is justification going on with Phase III. That indication by itself is probably not commercially feasible, but it’s a nice add-on. "We’re waiting on either the schizophrenia results or if the schizophrenia results are gray and perhaps are not definitive to move on, then we would consider perhaps then waiting for some of the additional trials we have ongoing in both bipolar depression, as well as... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916421 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2916421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912147&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8008 Now that she has stated her startling contrasting opinion in the ongoing inquest on TBH’s mysterious death at the MACC, will Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand deliver another black eye to the Malaysian medical profession? This time, at the other corner are the two local pathologists. The scenario reminds one of the infamous Kugan custodial death incident where there were significant different conclusions by 2 pathologists. Testifying in the inquest into Teoh’s death Wednesday, she said there was only a 20% chance that Teoh had committed suicide. She added that marks on Teoh’s neck region looked like he had been strangled manually. “The contusion of the skin on the right side of the neck looks round, indicating it might have been caused by fingers,” she added. and disturbingly, she a... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912147 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2912147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890912&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Flilly_settles_zyprexa_claims_with_idaho.html The Idaho State Attorney General Lawrence Wasden yesterday announced that the state and Eli Lilly have reached a settlement of claims the state had made of illegal off-label marketing of Zyprexa by the company. The settlement is for $13 million, which brings Lilly's total payouts for Zyprexa claims to about $2.8 billion. Lilly has now settled claims with almost three dozen states. According to a statement from Wasden's office, Lilly admits no wrongdoing in the settlement. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890912 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2890912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886718&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fnovartis_to_market_fanapt.html Novartis today announced that it's entered into an agreement to market Vanda Pharmaceuticals' recently approved antipsychotic Fanapt. It'll be interesting to see what kind of efficacy and side effect data the company offers to doctors and the public because, to date, I cannot get an answer out of Vanda. The drug is approved for schizophrenia. Novarti is paying Vanda $200 million up front for American and Canadian marketing rights to the drug. In a press release the company noted: "In the 1970s, Novartis pioneered the first atypical antipsychotic medication which was considered a breakthrough for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia." That drug was Clozaril and we know how that worked out. In the same press release, the company offers information on Fanapt-associated weight g... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886718 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2886718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879392&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fb7kFuiLywKI%2F Hours after thanking the world for the Nobel Peace Prize this morning, President Obama will gather with his war advisers to ponder sending 60,000 more troops into a country where our national security objectives are unclear at best. Instead of embracing General McChrystal’s proposal for a substantial increase in the U.S. military presence — or even adopting a “McChrystal-Light” strategy — the Obama administration should begin a phased withdrawal of troops over the next 18 months, retaining only a small military footprint relying on special forces personnel. Otherwise, America will be entangled for years — or decades — in pursuit of unattainable goals. We need to “define success down” in Afghanistan. That means abandoning any notion of transforming ethn... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879392 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:15:18 +0100 2879392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876336&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Fastrazeneca_defends_seroquel_weight_gain_warnings.html It's always flattering in a weird way to know that various pharma companies follow this website--AZ, Lilly, BMS, J&J, Wyeth and so on all pop in from time to time--and yesterday I got an email from Tony Jewell, a spokesman for AstraZeneca. He was responding to a post I wrote yesterday regarding AZ casting Seroquel as a "weight neutral" drug in the early years of this decade when the company had knowledge that some patients were packing on the pounds. "Re the post below, it is important to remember that since 1997, when Seroquel was first approved, labeling has alerted physicians that 'diabetes mellitus,' 'hyperglycemia' and 'weight gain' had been observed in clinical trials. We have continued to update the label on these topics as the science has developed." I don't know what the 2001 pa... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876336 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2876336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2883004&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7963 The recent massive earthquake in Padang has left a trail of destruction and destroyed the lives of many Indonesians in Padang. The devastation has resulted in almost instantaneous offer of help internationally mainly in search and rescue efforts. However, Malaysia has taken no chances and decided to evacuate all citizens. Notably present in this group are medical students from Andalas University. Despite a relative calm and a call by the university to return, these medical students have refused that offer and instead insisted on a transfer to local medical institutions. As the university itself is pleading for volunteers, these to-be doctors have shyed away from what many thought would be naturally brave and selfless characters. The visions of doctors in volunteer groups like Mercy Malaysi... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2883004 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2883004 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875994&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7963 The recent massive earthquake in Padang has left a trail of destruction and destroyed the lives of many Indonesians in Padang. The devastation has resulted in almost instantaneous offer of help internationally mainly in search and rescue efforts. However, Malaysia has taken no chances and decided to evacuate all citizens. Notably present in this group are medical students from Andalas University. Despite a relative calm and a call by the university to return, these medical students have refused that offer and instead insisted on a transfer to local medical institutions. As the university itself is pleading for volunteers, these to-be doctors have shyed away from what many thought would be naturally brave and selfless characters. The visions of doctors in volunteer groups like Mercy Malaysi... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875994 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2875994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872007&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2Flilly_settles_zyprexa_claims_with_south_carolina.html Bloomberg is reporting this morning that Eli Lilly has reached a tentative settlement with the State of South Carolina over allegations that the company illegally marketed Zyprexa, the company's atypical antipsychotic, for unapproved uses. The state's lawsuit against Lilly had been set to go to trial this week, but Lilly won a delay and then hammered out an agreement with the state. Financial details of the settlement are not yet available. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872007 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2872007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871546&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7959 “A meeting is an event where minutes are taken and hours wasted.” ~ James. T. Kirk Lately the MOH or divisions thereof have been asking private doctors to attend meetings/briefings for something or other. Meetings are not exactly the most productive or efficient way to disseminate information. The DG himself is an advocate of the use Internet and modern technology so why in this day and age is the MOH still resorting to physical meetings? From the Star: Health Ministry meetings are ill-timed I RUN a cardiology clinic in Penang, and received a letter from the Health Ministry directing me to attend a meeting at the General Hospital on Oct 20 from 8.30am to 11.45am. The meeting is to discuss a survey the ministry intends to carry out, and doctors from 211 private clinics have been asked ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871546 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2871546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865622&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7954 Finally it’s out in the Star and the reporter got it right by calling it a Bleeding Scam. Whether or not carried out by hoemopaths, naturopaths, sinsehs or real doctors, Live Blood Analysis is indeed junk science. Rather curious that “Up to press time, Health Ministry’s director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican had yet to respond to requests for comment on this practice.” I am sure the MOH is aware of this practice. Rather than let thousands and thousands of gullible Malaysians continue to be duped by this scam, shouldn’t the authorities do something? Related posts: Medical misinformation in Malaysiakini: the Live Blood Analysis hocus pocus Nutritional Live Blood Analysis Update 6/10/9 : The DG has made a statement in the press: No evidence to back LBA’s effect... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865622 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2865622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862453&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7939 Sent in by Gabriel: Asean Skin Doc Aim to Harmonise Standards Ahead of Healthcare Liberalization Dermatologists practicing in South East Asian (SEA) countries will gather at a regional meeting for dialogue on the liberalization of healthcare services under the Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) Agreement. The AFTA agreement will see member countries relax trade barriers, some earlier than others, such as is the case with Malaysia which aims to open up its healthcare services section by the end of 2009. Led by the League of Asian Dermatological Societies (LADS), senior skin specialists and heads of national skin societies from six SEA nations – Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam — will gather in Hanoi, Vietnam to share country specific experiences, harmonize... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862453 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2862453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842773&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Flilly_settles_with_connecticut_for_25_million.html Announced earlier today is a $25 million settlement between Eli Lilly and the State of Connecticut over allegations that the company illegally marketed Zyprexa for unapproved uses including dementia and ADHD. Lilly has already settled about $2.7 billion in other Zyprexa related claims. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842773 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2842773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838894&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7917 The Government recently announced that it would implement Cervical cancer vaccinations for all girls next year: The Health Ministry will provide annual human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination against cervical cancer or cancer of the cervix to an estimated 300,000 13-year-old girls in Malaysia beginning next year. It is up to the girls to take advantage of the vaccine. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said RM150mil would be spent annually to make the vaccine available to the girls. It seems this strategy would be the most cost effective way to combat cervical cancer “It costs the government RM382mil annually to treat cervical cancer but vaccination against it costs only RM150mil,” he said after the launch of the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA mobile clinic and Health Awareness Cam... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838894 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2838894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824405&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Flilly_settles_zyprexa_claims_with_another_7_states.html Bloomberg is reporting that Eli Lilly has settled claims brought against it by seven states concerning the company's marketing of its antipsychotic Zyprexa. Right now, the settlements are confidential (details should come out later), so it's not possible to tell what states are involved or how much money Lilly is paying out. Most of the claims involved illegal off-label marketing of the drug for use in the elderly and children and the bilking of states' Medicaid programs. Lilly told the wire service that it's in "advanced discussions" with the other states. A trial involving claims brought by South Carolina is set to begin in October. Lilly has previously settled various claims brought by individuals, states and the feds for a whopping $2.7 billion. (Source: Furious Seasons) Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824405 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2824405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824407&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Fastrazeneca_denied_seroquel_diabetes_link_after_warning_of_it_in_japan.html Bloomberg is reporting today on documents recently unsealed in federal court in Florida in the ongoing case against AstraZeneca concerning claims that the company did not properly notify the public of risks (principally, diabetes and weight gain) associated with its antipsychotic Seroquel, now one of the top selling drugs in the world "Nancy White, the saleswoman, and a colleague met in July 2006 with an unidentified doctor who reported 'getting a lot of flak' from patients about Seroquel’s diabetes links, according to a note unsealed as part of a lawsuit. AstraZeneca wrote in November 2002 to Japanese doctors that it received a dozen reports of diabetes-related cases tied to Seroquel 'where causality with the drug could not be ruled out.' "White said in the 2006 note that she told the... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824407 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2824407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814394&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6bMD9IbPKQo%2F In his review of the war in Afghanistan,  states that “failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months)—while Afghan security capacity matures—risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.” I would hope that Congress and the American people hold McChrystal to his “12 month” prediction, because if President Obama sticks to McChrystal’s ambitious strategy, U.S. forces could remain in Central Asia for decades. McChrystal argues that the U.S. military must devote more effort to interacting with the local population and elevating the importance of governance. How? Does America defeat the Taliban in order to build an Afghan state, or does America build an Afghan state in order to defeat the Taliban? Winning t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814394 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:53:36 +0100 2814394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800325&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7886 Take one ball-type firecracker (mercun bola shown above). Fail to throw away lighted cracker like this six-year old. Or let a faulty one explode in your hand like this fifteen-year old. Sad that we see this happening year after year during the festive season. When will they ever learn? from the Malaysian Medical Resources How to lose your fingers (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800325 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2800325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786250&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F60_percent_of_antipsychotic_use_in_va_offlabel.html A new study out in Psychiatric Services asserts that a full 60 percent of antipsychotics prescribed in the VA system in 2007 were being prescribed off-label and, in my opinion, for conditions for which there is little scientific evidence supporting their use. These drugs are known to be dangerous, so you've got to wonder what the hell is going on at the VA and just how much illegal marketing pharma companies have engaged in to create this situation. The study most prominently identifies the off-label use of Seroquel and Risperdal. Here's the stunner to me: "The most common mental illness diagnoses among patients given prescriptions for antipsychotics off label were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD, 41.8%), minor depression (39.5%), major depression (23.4%), and anxiety disorder (20.0%... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786250 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2786250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774880&cid=t_391794_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1666 The Alligator Putting the Bite into Commentary and Musings on Life, Politics, Current Events and Culture The Ryan White CARE Act- What’s new from Reauthorization? by Randy Allgaier | February 14, 2007 There are a number of changes that have come with the passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006. . The structure of the legislation has not been altered. Title I is the funding that goes directly to urban areas – eligible metropolitan areas (EMAs). Title I awards are based on both formula funding, based on the prevalence of HIV in the jurisdictions, and a “supplemental” award which is based on scores received on the grant application.. Title II is funding that goes to the states and territories. The “base” award of Title II operates nearly identica... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774880 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:04:50 +0100 2774880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778673&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Fcourt_documents_show_lilly_paid_docs_to_prescribe_zyprexa.html This is maddening: court documents released today show details of so-called call notes made by Lilly sales reps of visits and golf games with doctors in South Carolina, where the company was working hard to get doctors to switch patients to Zyprexa, even for unapproved uses. There were basically payoffs going on, the State of South Carolina alleges in a lawsuit against Lilly, and some of that involved reps making bets with doctors during golf games. One doc agreed that for each time a sales rep made par during one outing that he'd start a new patient on Zyprexa, according to Bloomberg. And then there was this: "Lawyers for the state pointed to a sales note from Sullivan in which he tells another salesman to tie a doctor’s Zyprexa prescriptions to participation in a speakers’ program.... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778673 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2778673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774588&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7845 The US is in the midst of healthcare reforms. The current system with a hodge podge of private healthcare insurance companies and MCOs is badly in need of fixing. The private health system in Malaysia is in a similar state. One may argue that there are always the Government run public hospitals and clinics, but they are already overcrowded and the system is very strained and to be honest, not very efficiently run. It is not uncommon to see clinic follow-up appointments run into months later, difficulty getting basic CT scan appointments or very late histopathology reports which take weeks to obtain. The health insurance system in this country is run by for-profit health insurance companies and there-in lies the problem. Sadly many people cannot get healthcare insurance because these for-pr... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774588 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2774588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2762129&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Fpfizer_settlement_includes_much_offlabel_promotion_of_geodon_and_kickbacks_to_docs_for_zoloft.html The Geodon portion of Pfizer's record $2.3 billion criminal and civil settlement with the Department of Justice yesterday was much larger than I'd thought. What's more, now that details of the settlement are out, it is clear that the company was paying kickbacks to doctors to prescribe Zoloft which is the company's now off-patent anti-depressant. From HHS's press release, the $1 billion combined federal and states civil settlement contains $301,462,065 attributable to illegal off-label promotion of Geodon, the company's weak-selling antipsychotic. The painkiller Bextra made up $502,524,316 of the $1 billion, so it's clear that Geodon was a big piece of the settlement. Specifically, the settlement covers off-label promotion of Geodon for the following unapproved conditions: "Depression,... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2762129 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2762129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2752130&cid=t_391794_140_f&fid=34843&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.furiousseasons.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2Fpsych_researcher_who_claimed_3yearolds_get_depression_may_have_undisclosed_industry_ties.html A few of you will recall that earlier this month I wrote of a new study in the Archives of General Psychiatry asserting that 3-year-olds can and do suffer from chronic depression, a controversial notion to many people. The published study specifically stated that the lead author, Joan Luby of the Washington University School of Medicine, had no financial conflicts to report. To whit: "Financial Disclosure: None reported. "Funding/Support: Funding for this study was provided by grant MH64769-01 from the National Institute of Mental Health (Dr Luby)." The journal's instructions for authors specifically state: "Authors are expected to provide detailed information about all relevant financial interests and relationships or financial conflicts within the past 5 years." As reported by Ji... Furious Seasons blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2752130 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2752130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751903&cid=t_391794_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7807 I think there are mixed signals about testing coming out from the MOH especially when there were earlier media reports about the Health Minister encouraging doctors to use the “rapid test”. The Star reported As the death toll from Influenza A (H1N1) rose to 38, the Government green-lighted the use of rapid test kits for private clinics and hospitals to conduct flu checks on the public. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said private healthcare providers can use these kits to help cope with the large number of patients wanting to be checked, and for faster detection and containment of the pandemic. “Use of rapid test kits was discouraged in the private sector earlier when the H1N1 outbreak was still small and mostly imported. “Now that it has reached the community lev... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751903 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751903