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 'compulsory'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:31:56 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008660&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FoGHMXqJ1AYw%2F India has promised not to link a proposed trade deal with the European Union to any limits on making generic AIDS drugs, according to a joint statement from India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The declaration came in response to growing criticism that pharma was pushing provisions in trade talks that would limit the availability of AIDS meds. The EU and India began talks in 2007 on a free-trade agreement that would be worth an estimated $134 billion in commerce. But a report last year in the Journal of the International AIDS Society suggested provisions could raise prices delay access to improved meds, and recommended that “inappropriate” trade deals should not be pursued unless new policies are created (see here). A key poin... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008660 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:20:18 +0100 5008660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775604&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqGxzJ5UIotM%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope your weekend was refreshing. Now, of course, the routine of meetings and deadlines has returned. This calls for the mandatory cup of stimulation, an invigorating way to discuss the news about bin Laden, as well. Meanwhile, here are some other tidbits from around the world. Have a good one and stay in touch… Teva To Buy Cephalon For $6.8M, Outbidding Valeant (Associated Press) Drug Shortages Endangering Patients (The Washington Post) India’s Generic Drugmakers May Test Compulsory Licensing In June (Business Standard) Strides CEO Discusses Oncology Plant & Pfizer Deal (MoneyControl) Abbott Cuts Prices Of AIDS Drugs For Government Programs (Chicago Tribune) Pfizer And Its Radical Surgery (Forbes) Actelion Loses Licensing Dis... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775604 Mon, 02 May 2011 11:53:40 +0100 4775604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762771&cid=t_171198_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F04%2F28%2Fbelgian-court-rules-against-compulsory-vaccination%2F The Belgium court at Tournai recently ruled in favor of individual human rights when it rescinded Belgium’s long-time mandatory polio vaccination law. That is a rather bold concession to and enforcement of individual human rights especially since the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1974 initiated its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to vaccinate all the children of the world. Probably one of the issues authorities had to grapple with was: Children in Belgium are unlikely to get polio these days except when they receive the polio vaccine. What? Yes, those children who do contract polio are getting it from the very vaccine that’s supposed to ‘immunize’ them against it. That is not an anomaly in Belgium; it also has been happening in the United Kingdom. Mad Cow Disease Co... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762771 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:19:16 +0100 4762771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684760&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fd_j1yofCUbQ%2F Five of the world’s biggest drugmakers failed to comply with mandatory disclosure laws for their patented medicines in India, which means they are vulnerable not only to fines, but also competition in the form of compulsory licenses that could be issued to generic drugmakers, which would then have the right to sell lower-cost versions of the patented drugs. The breach was uncovered by Shamnad Basheer, a professor of intellectual property law at the National University of Juridicial Sciences in New Delhi, India, and a contributor to the Spicy IP patent blog. He led a group of lawyers who collected information on patent disclosures made by foreign drugmakers to regulators under what is known as a Right to Information, or RTI, request. At issue is a requirement that drugmakers share in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684760 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:54:41 +0100 4684760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419451&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FvXrdzviin2U%2F A closely watched debate will get under way in Canada today over a bill, called C-393, which was designed to allow generic versions of patented AIDS meds to be sent to developing countries. The bill was conceived to amend a 2004 law called Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime, which proved ineffective. Since its passage six years ago, only one license was ever issued and this involved exporting just one order of an AIDS med to Rwanda. Two months ago, however, a Canadian House of Commons committee eliminated a key reform, notably the one-license solution. This would provide a generic drugmaker with a single compulsory license to export lower-cost meds to developing countries covered by the law, rather than requiring a separate negotiation and licensing process for every single order f... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419451 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:30:55 +0100 4419451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314219&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FE3M3japSzKk%2F A generic drugmaker in India is seeking a voluntary license to make a version of Pfizer’s maraviroc HIV pill and if the move is denied, as expected, Natco Pharma will then pursue a compulsory license. This step taken by Natco is significant, however, because a successful outcome could open the door for other Indian generic drugmakers to override patents for all sorts of medicines. That’s because Natco is the first generic drugmaker to initiate the compulsory licensing process in India and its application is being seen as a test case. “This will be the acid test and set a precedent for the use for compulsory licensing to make medicines affordable for masses in India,” The Economic Times quotes a source familiar with Natco’s plans. Compulsory licensing, you may ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314219 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:49:25 +0100 4314219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309852&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6G2WLJ5CltI%2F In a move hailed by consumer advocates, India has rejected a patent for an HIV med sold by Abbott Laboratories, because it was not deemed to be a novel invention (the Indian Patent Act does not permit patenting of incremental innovations). The decision is expected to give a significant boost to domestic generic drugmakers that are willing to make and sell lower-cost versions of the Kaletra protease inhibitor, which combines lopinavir and ritonavir, in India and developing countries. “The impact of the case is tremendous,” writes Tahir Amin, co-founder and director of the Intellectual Property Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge in a note to us. His group fought to reject the Indian patent and he complained that Abbott has been “gaming the patent system&#8221... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309852 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:04:39 +0100 4309852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275544&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fblog-demonstrations-for-right-to.html Home schooling is not legal, rules Spanish Constitutional CourtJoin the manifestation of blogs and help us spread the words of freedom and solidarity to the home-educating families in Spain. They need your support.Join the blog protest and help defend the right to education outside school in Spain. Wherever you live, add the symbol of protest in your blogs and your link here. If you want you can also share your thoughts on the decision of the Spanish court.LinksTribunal Constitucional Español contra el homeschoolingThis is the end, my friendMás reacciones a la sentencia del Tribunal ConstitucionalLa angustia de educar en casaLa Constitución no es suficienteLa sentencia del TCLa violencia legítima del EstadoSentencia del Tribunal ConstitucionalPrimeras reacciones ante la sentencia del T... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275544 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:01:00 +0100 4275544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098460&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHCAp9mIKhM0%2F The US trade group representing the world’s biggest drugmakers are meeting today in India to review a recent proposal that endorsed the use of compulsory licensing to assure that prices - particularly for cancer and AIDS meds - remain affordable. The notion was floated two months ago by the Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in response to a growing wave of deals in which multi-national drugmakers have been acquiring Indian companies (back story). “Most of these companies are export oriented,” the DIPP wrote in its paper. “There is a concern that their takeover by multinationals will further orient them away from the Indian market, thus reducing domestic availability of the drugs being produced by them. This may weaken competition leading to headroom for incre... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098460 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:51:55 +0100 4098460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907781&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FP9TbPrw5Un8%2F Concerned that many of its drugmakers may be taken over in a wave of mergers and acquisitions, the Indian government is being urged to consider compulsory licensing to assure that prices - particularly for cancer and AIDS meds - remain affordable for its own citizens and as a way to support its economy. The idea is being floated by the Indian Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, which notes there were six large takeovers in the past four years, including Ranbaxy Laboratories, Shanta Biotech, Orchid Chemicals and Piramal Healthcare. “Most of these companies are export oriented,” DIPP writes. “There is a concern that their takeover by multinationals will further orient them away from the Indian market, thus reducing domestic availability of the drugs being produc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907781 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:51:05 +0100 3907781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3823162&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8P3HY5kVAGQ%2F Who’s afraid of the US Trade Representative? Despite being placed each year on the agency’s ‘Watch List’ for failing to protect intellectual property (see here), Thailand’s Health Ministry plans to extend compulsory licenses for two AIDS medicines this month - Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Sustiva and Kaletra, which is sold by Abbott Laboratories. The decision was made by a joint meeting of the Disease Control Department, the Department of Intellectual Property, the Foreign Ministry, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, the Food and Drug Administration and a network of AIDS activists, which agreed the compulsory licensing policy is legimitate and adheres to the 2001 Doha Declaration adopted by the World Trade Organization, The Bangkok Post reports. The e... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3823162 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:43:17 +0100 3823162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526946&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzpqIM4B9T1U%2F Access to medicines in poor and developing countries remains a hot issue and the outcome can often be influenced by trade policies. For this reason, the annual report from the US Trade Representative is closely watched for signs that public policy strikes an even balance between basic human needs and the economic interests, notably patents, of key US industries, including the pharmaceutical industry. This time around, the US Trade Rep’s annual report (which you can read here) notes that the US affirms the conclusions of the Doha declaration of TRIPS, the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (see this primer), and “respects a country’s right to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all, and supports the vital role of the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526946 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:24:09 +0100 3526946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350567&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FDBJkyxf0FEQ%2F Three years ago, Thailand made waves by threatening to issue compulsory licenses for several best-selling meds, including Abbott Labs’ Kaletra AIDS drug. The Thai government argued needed meds were priced too high for most of it citizens and it had the right to override patents under provisions of a World Trade Organization agreement. In March 2007, Abbott took a hard-line stance by yanking registration applications in Thailand for seven drugs (background). An activist group, KEI, which supported the Thai move to issue compulsory licenses, recently obtained a cable written by Ralph Boyce, who at the time was US Ambassador to Thailand, indicating the US was aware of the health consequences of Abbott’s move and that the hardball tactic could strengthen the industry’s hand i... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350567 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:10:35 +0100 3350567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302561&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwar-on-kids-freedomain-radio-interview.html Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 & The Freedomain Radio Interview here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302561 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:31:00 +0100 3302561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298517&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwar-on-kids-freedomain-radio-interview.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298517 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:31:00 +0100 3298517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267199&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIh9rDOtyt9U%2F China has amended a patent regulation to give a clear definition of “patented pharmaceuticals” that are subject to compulsory licensing, amid a system that allows parties to exploit patented inventions without the permission of the patent’s owner, The China Daily reports. The existing patent law grants a compulsory license for patented pharmaceuticals in China for public health, and applies to products made in China as well as exports to qualified countries under international treaties to which China is a member. But the law fails to give a clear definition of “patented pharmaceuticals.” The amendment states that “patented pharmaceuticals” are “any patented products or products directly obtained according to patented processes in the medical ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267199 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:11:46 +0100 3267199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248666&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fthis-weeks-compulsory-miseducation-news.html here... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248666 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:58:00 +0100 3248666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239752&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwhats-on-news-today.html Jayne, who educates her three children aged nine, 12 and 15, said: “A lot of us feel the proposed changes are not about benefiting the child but about control. As the current legislation stands we have a very free system and that is a good thing. We want to protect it for people who need to make that choice in the future.” Read more...Plans to force home-schooling families to register their children with local authorities are “not a good use of public money”, according to a member of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board. Read more...Rising numbers of parents are being fined for taking children out of school for cheap term-time holidays. Read it here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239752 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:27:00 +0100 3239752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201863&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdealing-with-truancy-american-way.html Simple! Tag the children with GPS Tracking Devices! More here and here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201863 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:22:00 +0100 3201863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939558&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F2zGAgGj2P6s%2F The move involves bypassing on 2,000 drugs in order to produce them locally or buy cheaper versions elsewhere, AFP reports. Among them is GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer and Pfizer. “We accept the democratic decision… to legally implement this extraordinary measure,” the drugmakers announced through their local pharmaceutical industry association. “No legal right is superior to the requirements of public health, especially in such serious circumstances.” Last week, Ecuador’s socialist government decided to break 2,214 patents, issue “compulsory licenses” to local labs and pay foreign labs up to 10 percent of net sales of the drugs, AFP writes. According to a report from research firm Intercontinental Marketing Services (IMS), foreign firms control abo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939558 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:55:19 +0100 2939558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709137&cid=t_171198_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fswine-flu-news-update-12-nurses-are.html Nursing Times has carried out a survey to find out how many of their members would be prepared to have a swine-flu immunisation.Overall 30% of survey respondents answered ‘no’ when asked if they would get immunised when the vaccine became available, compared with 37% who replied ‘yes’. A further 33% remained undecided and answered ‘maybe’.Nursing TimesThe Government’s chief Commissar for immunisations said that nurses had a “duty” to be immunised.Nurses who opt to have the vaccine can expect to be given one of two products, both of which will require two jabs roughly three weeks apart. The majority of swine flu vaccine will be the adjuvant version manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, which contains 4mcg of antigen. The second type, manufactured by Baxter, is a whole virus vac... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709137 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:21:00 +0100 2709137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653957&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fchomsky-on-education.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653957 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:20:00 +0100 2653957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645494&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fwar-on-kids.html Best educational documentary - New York Independent Film and Video Festival. Official site here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645494 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:28:00 +0100 2645494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442389&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fvideo-play.mp4%3FcontentId%3D588bcd4614b8d5c9%26type%3Dvideo%252Fmp4http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Ftruancy-sweeps.html You can also watch it here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442389 Sat, 23 May 2009 12:17:00 +0100 2442389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222456&cid=t_171198_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fcompulsory-medication.html I have not the slightest doubt that the fluoridation of water supplies improves the state of teeth. I also believe that such fluoridisation is entirely safe. But that is not the point.Fluoride will be added to tap water in Southampton after health bosses voted through the plans despite protests.It is the first time a health trust in England, rather than water companies, has been allowed to introduce fluoridation under new laws.The idea has proved controversial with 72% of 10,000 respondents in a public consultation opposing the plan. Despite the opposition, the South Central Strategic Health Authority (SCSHA) unanimously backed the move. The SCSHA will now write to Southern Water instructing the firm to increase levels of fluoride from a natural 0.08 part per million to one part per mill... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222456 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:30:00 +0100 2222456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013829&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F474909162%2F Speculation is growing on Capitol Hill that Xavier Becerra, a Democratic congressman from California, has been offered the job of US Trade Representative (see this). The job is important, of course, for its influence on trade agreements and some consumer activists appear encouraged because Becerra has, in the past, criticized Bush administration policies on intellectual property and access to medicines. This is a hot topic, you may recall, as some countries issue compulsory licenses for drugs deemed too costly for large swaths of their populations. A notable example has been Thailand, which angered several large drugmakers by issuing licenses for AIDS and heart meds (read here and here). The moves prompted US Trade Rep Susan Schwab to place Thailand on its Priority Watch twice over the pas... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013829 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:27:57 +0100 2013829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1853657&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Feducational-abuse_05.html Teachers who have sex with older pupils should escape court, union head says: "Teachers who have sexual relationships with sixth formers should not face criminal action, according to the head of a leading teachers union."And some more recent news...Murdered by her own teacher. Why?Teacher jailed for pupil sex assaultsHeadmaster at school where Boris Johnson sent his children is suspendedTeacher at top school arrested in sex scandalBad teachers back in classTeacher and coach charged with child seductionParent alleges teacher strip-searched female studentsTeacher by day, hooker by nightTeacher arrested for child seductionSecond victim alleges sexual assault by teacherTeacher gets 2 years for relationship with studentSchool teacher faces sex chargeTeacher arrested on sexual misconduct charges... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853657 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:06:00 +0100 1853657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1851053&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fon-news_04.html Parents sue over brain injuryAutistic Boy Left On School Bus All DaySeven-year-old found hanging from hook at schoolTwo boys arrested for using firearm at schoolBoy killed while riding bicycle to schoolEx-student blames campus rape on schoolChildren become ill on Knoxville school field tripFour Students Arrested for Possessing Handgun at SchoolTeacher with heroin arrested in front of pupilsRape case of school workerTeacher gets probation for relationship with studentMan tries to abduct siblings walking to school Teacher gets detention for sex tryst with boyStabbed in school fightPriest gets 15yrs for school sex crimesGreen's victims to sue schoolTeenager Sexually Assaulted 6 Year Old on BusBus driver accused of sexual relationship with studentSchool Sex InvestigationHenson 'scouted school ... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1851053 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:13:00 +0100 1851053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1852737&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F410399326%2F Act-Up is in the midst of an ‘International Week of Action’ over a recent remark by one of the drugmaker’s execs, who was allegedly quoted as saying that Roche does “not do business to save lives but to make money. Saving lives is not our business.” The activist group, which is aggressively publicizing its protest, goes on to say the statement was made following talks failed to lower the the pricing of Roche’s Fuzeon AIDS med. The South Korean government reportedly is unable to pay more that $18,000 per year per person, but Roche demanded $22,000, and refused to cut the price. For now, Fuzeon is not available in South Korea. What does Act-Up want? Roche should meet with South Korean AIDS activists, lower its prices on all of its HIV/AIDS drugs, and the g... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852737 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:47:46 +0100 1852737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1851054&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fon-news.html Teacher filmed student having sex on school tripDisgraced teacher given job by prominent headteacherTeacher arrested for having heroin in car allowed to teach againCane is needed again to give children a lessonOne in five teachers would back return of the caneTeachers: Bring back the cane to restore order in schoolsBan Muslim headscarves, say teachersTeachers are 'being turned into social workers'State school pupils encouraged to join Army cadets (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1851054 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:25:00 +0100 1851054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1847985&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Feducational-abuse.html Silence in schoolTelling tales on SirHead jailed for £64,000 car fraud12-year-old girl attacked on way to schoolNumber of children locked up 'rises fivefold'India school head kills boy who answered backSchool teacher facing indecent assault charges'Nazi' student initiation ceremony investigatedSchoolgirls’ shared memories expose pervert priestFive Russian children die in school collapse (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1847985 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:47:00 +0100 1847985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829209&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fon-news_26.html In Coventry alone, over 200 parents were fined for kids' truancy: "The law says all children of school age must go to school unless they are being provided with an alternative education at home by parents or private tutors."Expelled schoolgirl 'stabs teacher's face with pen': "The pupil is understood to have been angry at being excluded after being accused of attempting to steal the same teacher's keys and mobile phone. Headteacher: "We have already taken steps to further improve security by actioning the installation of electronic gates."More on the recent classroom massacres in Finland here and here.Forty years on, the schoolboys confront abuse: "It has taken three men decades to admit that they were regularly abused by teachers at the same prep school"And now, for a change, some good ne... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829209 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:08:00 +0100 1829209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798226&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fpublic-schools-public-prisons.html "Why have we put our children into education prisons called public schools? What crimes have they committed? Why do we condemn almost 45 million innocent children to this punishment? Do I exaggerate by calling these schools "prisons?" Well, let's compare prisons and public schools." - Read more here and here. Joel Turtel, author of Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children, holds a degree in Psychology. For the last ten years he has served as an Education Policy Analyst, studying the climate of today's public schools and its effect on children and parents.Today's link: How Public Schools Harm ChildrenOn the news: Minister: Every school can have a police officer (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798226 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:24:00 +0100 1798226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1759943&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fon-news-vaccines-schools.html Now that new pupils have to stay until 17 and schools start cancer vaccinations, parents would do well to read the HPV Vaccine 1637 Adverse Effects Report, the report on 3 deaths, and the Judicial Watch Special Report, examining this large-scale public health experiment. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1759943 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:35:00 +0100 1759943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1711849&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F368035997%2F And so, as promised, we have returned. We trust you had a pleasant and productive week while we were away. And we want to say thanks for the nice send-off notes so many of you posted. Much appreciated. As always, though, the time has now come to reach for that favored cup of stimulation as we recap a few of the more interesting events of the past several days… Despite last-minute huffing and puffing from drugmakers and biotechs, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law one of the nation’s strictest limits on gifts given to doctors and other medical professionals by sales reps, the most contentious measure contained in a broad package intended to improve healthcare safety and curb skyrocketing costs. Read more here and here. Which course should Bristol-Myers Squibb p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1711849 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:55:17 +0100 1711849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709264&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fstudents-under-surveillance_16.html From Teachers TV: "Electronic technology offers schools unprecedented ways of surveying students' behaviour and movement. Many praise the benefits that such technology brings, but are there dangers involved too? One secondary school featured in this programme, has over 100 CCTV cameras watching its students in classrooms, in corridors and in the playground." - Watch it here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709264 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:23:00 +0100 1709264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689059&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fadolf-hitler-schools.html Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689059 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:34:00 +0100 1689059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668488&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fbertrand-russell-on-education.html "Education in a scientific society may, I think, be best conceived after the analogy of the education provided by the Jesuits. The Jesuits provided one sort of education for the boys who were to become ordinary men of the world, and another for those who were to become members of the Society of Jesus. In like manner, the scientific rulers will provide one kind of education for ordinary men and women, and another for those who are to become holders of scientific power. Ordinary men and women will be expected to be docile, industrious, punctual, thoughtless, and contented. Of these qualities probably contentment will be considered the most important. In order to produce it, all the researches of psycho-analysis, behaviourism, and biochemistry will be brought into play." - Bertrand Russell, 1... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668488 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:02:00 +0100 1668488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1657219&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fblog-post.html From lumaces channel, explaining the history of compulsory schooling: (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657219 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:38:00 +0100 1657219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1642716&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fschool-of-life.html More info here... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1642716 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:11:00 +0100 1642716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1637953&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F339173672%2F Several non-governmental organizations want the government to issue an open compulsory license on Abbott Labs’ Kaletra AIDS drug and have sent letters to the Superientendencia de Industria y Comercio, which houses the patent office, as well as to the nation’s president and the health ministry. The request comes three months after several Colombian non-profit groups sought an open license directly from Abbott, which has so far, not responded. The NGOs, in their letters, say that, in 2005, nearly 1,275 people living with HIV/AIDS in Colombia were taking Kaletra, And a survey of health organizations reported that Kaletra use grew from 3 million units in 2004 to more than 6 million units in 2006, which means Kaletra consumption doubled in a period of just two years. Here is a stat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1637953 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:17:11 +0100 1637953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631579&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F337475704%2F That seems to be the betting. A federal appeals court is likely to uphold a preliminary injunction barring the sale of Roche’s Mircera in the US, but the ruling will be closely watched to see if the court addresses the so-called “public interest” issue, according to The Financial Times. Last year, a federal jury in Massachusetts found that Roche infringed Amgen patents, but damages weren’t awarded because Roche had not yet launched the product in the US. Roche did threaten to launch Mircera unless an injunction barring it from doing so was issued and so Roche is now appealing the preliminary injunction that was subsequently put in place, the paper writes. The District Court is likely to wait for the Federal Circuit to decide on Roche’s appeal before addressing the i... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631579 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:19:01 +0100 1631579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594010&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F328807584%2F The Indian patent office will provide brand-name drugmakers a chance to explain their views before a decision to grant compulsory licenses against their patented medicines is taken, The Business Standard reports. In doing so, the patent office is, for the first time, setting rules for examining compulsory license applications from local companies against multinational drug majors like Pfizer and Roche. The patent office on July 4 dismissed a petition filed by Natco Pharma opposing its move to seek Pfizer’s opinion before granting a compulsory license to Natco, which wants to make and export a generic version of Pfizer’s patented cancer med, Sunitinib, to Nepal. The application was made under a provision of the patent law that allows the government to issue compulsory licenses t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594010 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:33:33 +0100 1594010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1502628&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fschooling-is-not-education.html John Taylor Gatto talking about the difference between "schooling" through public schools and true education. From old tinker news videos:Part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1502628 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:44:00 +0100 1502628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1475417&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F299981744%2F Peter Mandelson has repeatedly objected to Bangkok’s decision to issue compulsory licenses for a growing number of meds over concerns its citizens can not afford them. Last year, he came out against the policy because it “would be detrimental to the patent system, and to innovation and the development of new medicines.” And he wrote a similarly worded letter to Thailand earlier this year. So the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament requested that he clarify his position, since it contradicts the EU commitment to a World Health Organization agreement and a European Parliament resolution that passed last July. In a brief speech, Mandelson walked a fine line by saying there is no objection to compulsory licensing, per se, only Thailand’s approach to... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1475417 Wed, 28 May 2008 17:28:39 +0100 1475417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1436942&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fon-news.html No MMR? Then you won’t start school - "Children will be banned from starting school until they receive the MMR jab, under new Labour party proposals. Take-up of the MMR jab fell dramatically after research appeared to show a link between the triple vaccination and autism." Read more... Families will make case for vaccine link to autism - "Overall, nearly 4,900 families have filed claims with the U.S. Court of Claims alleging that vaccines caused autism and other neurological problems in their children."Read more...Watch online: Autism and the MMR Vaccine. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1436942 Mon, 12 May 2008 20:14:00 +0100 1436942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1432791&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F286900668%2F Access to some HIV drugs is increasing in Thailand because of the country’s decision to issue compulsory licenses for certain meds, according to Winai Sawasdiworn, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Security Office, The Bangkok Post reports. You may recall that, early last year, the Thai government issued a compulsory license to make a lower-cost version of Abbott’s Kaletra AIDS drug. The drugmaker later offered to sell an updated version called Aluvia at a reduced price, but only if Thailand agreed not to allow generics to be sold. But talks failed and Thailand last fall allowed India’s Matrix Laboratories to begin sales. According to Winai, the first batch of generic Kaletra was delivered to state hospitals three month ago, and a shipment of generic Efavire... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1432791 Fri, 09 May 2008 15:32:37 +0100 1432791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429099&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Falvin-toffler-on-education.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429099 Thu, 08 May 2008 17:38:00 +0100 1429099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1361147&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F267231686%2F As US Trade Representative Susan Schwab conducts her annual review of global intellectual property rights and protection, a group of 27 House Democrats has written a letter to remind her that compulsory licensing is permissable under World Trade Organization rules and that the real issue to focus on is public health and access to life-saving meds. You may recall that Thailand is in pharma’s crosshairs for issuing compulsory licenses for several meds - a blood thinner, two AIDS drugs and four cancer treatments. Last year, the US Trade Rep placed Thailand on its Priority Watch List and drugmakers have been lobbying Schwab’s office to downgrade Thaliand again to the lowest rung, which could alter trade relations between the two countries. And so in their letter, the Dems worry al... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1361147 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:12:05 +0100 1361147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1349852&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F263953087%2F In December 2003, Abbott Labs raised the price of its Norvir AIDS drug, which is commonly used in HIV drug ‘cocktails, by 400 percent, creating a firestorm in the AIDS community. The mark-up prompted the Service Employees International Union Health & Welfare Fund to file a class-action lawsuit the next year that alleges the price hike violated antitrust laws. For those unfamiliar with this episode, the maneuver caused a good bit of outrage - there were shareholder resolutions, protests at Abbott headquarters, a boycott by hundreds of docs, Attorney General investigations, numerous newspaper editorials criticizing the price increase, as the Prescription Access Litigation project reminds us. You can read some background in this story. Now, Abbott is asking a federal court to seal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1349852 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:21:45 +0100 1349852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1347615&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F263407940%2F At least that’s what one government official says. Compulsory licenses wouldn’t be issued unless the country faces an epidemic-like situation. And India feels that recent applications for CL may not be able to convince the government to take such an extreme step. For instance, Natco Pharma recently applied for a CL to export generic versions of two cancer drugs - Roche’s Tarceva and Pfizer’s Sutent - to Nepal. “We are not in favour of CL unless there is an extraordinary problem. There is no point in going in for CL unless there is an epidemic which impacts a large chunk of the population, and needs immediate solution,” a senior official of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, which oversees patent offices in India, tells The Economic Times. But what abou... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1347615 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:37:55 +0100 1347615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1338217&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F261213415%2F In a move expected to be challenged by pharma, Cancer Patients Aids Association, a non-government organization is planning to seek compulsory licensing in India for about 20 cancer meds made by Roche, Pfizer, Astrazeneca, Glaxo and Novartis, among others, The Economic Times reports. CPAA, which has received support from several Indian and global NGOs such as Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières, was one of the healthcare groups in the forefront of the successful legal battle against Novartis’ Gleevec last year. While the NGO plans to first approach the health ministry to trigger the CL provision, it is ready to go the Supreme Court if the government rejects to the demand. “There is no point in fighting patent cases for individual drugs. How many patents will we fight against? It is j... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1338217 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:06:54 +0100 1338217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1329202&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F258502152%2F The federal judge overseeing the patent battle between Amgen and Roche has ordered that an expert be appointed to recommend how to compare the dosing and prices of their anemia drugs, Reuters reports. Last October, a federal court jury in Boston found that patents on Amgen’s anemia drugs were valid and that Roche’s Mircera, which has since been approved by the FDA for treating anemia in kidney disease patients, infringed three patents. But US District Court Judge William Young declined to issue a permanent injunction barring Mircera sales in the US and may instead impose a licensing deal allowing Roche to launch its drug - which is administered less often than Amgen’s Epogen and Aranesp - if certain terms are met. Roche offered to pay a 22.5 percent royalty to Amgen and a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1329202 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:21:47 +0100 1329202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1329207&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F258297278%2F Late last month, the Swiss government issued a statement in which Thailand was criticized for issuing compulsory licenses for various medications over the past year or more. These included AIDS drugs sold by Merck and Abbott Labs; the Plavix blood thinner marketed by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb; and four cancer meds sold by Novartis, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis. “Switzerland is convinced that patents are part of the solution to long-term access to innovative medicines in Thailand,” the statement reads. But compulsory licenses “will endanger access to innovative pharmaceuticals and thus weaken public health. Also, a broad use of compulsory licenses may have a detrimental effect on foreign direct investments” on manufacturing pharmaceuticals in Thailand. Such... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1329207 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:02:01 +0100 1329207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1315399&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fhome-education-in-germany.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1315399 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:01:00 +0100 1315399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1307876&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F253087621%2F The goal, of course, is to review Bangkok’s policy of issuing compulsory licenses on patented meds and, consequently, what to do about Thailand’s trade status, The Nation reports. Today’s session comes just one month before the US Trade Rep completes its annual review of trade relations with other countries and, as you may recall, pharma has been lobbying Washington to drop Thailand to the lowest possible designation. Depending on whether or not Thailand is downgraded from Priority Watch List to Priority Foreign Country, Washington will decide whether to extend or cut tariff privileges on Thai goods, the paper notes. Last year, the US Trade Rep downgraded Thailand from Watch List to Priority Watch List, because Bangkok’s new military government hadn’t taken st... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1307876 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:25:53 +0100 1307876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1297933&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F250254341%2F Now that Thailand’s new government has indicated it will proceed, after all, with plans to issue compulsory licenses for three cancer meds, speculation is growing that the European Commission will pursue litigation under World Trade Organization rules. However, activists who support Thailand’s efforts are circulating a statement from an EU spokesperson that quashes the notion. According to the message we received, European Union reps say the allegations are untrue. And asked if the EU was considering a WTO challenge, an EU official stated that the EU has made never threatened a challenge, does not plan a challenge, and acknowledges that Thailand’s actions comply with WTO rules. This is the statement… “The commission has been in constant contact with the Thai a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1297933 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:44:00 +0100 1297933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1291152&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F248890509%2F The move comes after a month of protests against plans by Bangkok’s new government to review the controversial policy of issuing compulsory licenses. Under pressure from health activists and doctors who campaigned to have him sacked, Chaiya Sasomsab, the new Health Minister, decided that overriding patents on three cancer meds would save Thailand more than $100 million over the next five years, Reuters reports. “The findings have convinced me to go ahead with the compulsory licenses since the ministry’s policy is to give patients good access to quality drugs at cheap prices,” says Chaiya, after a review by a panel of Health Ministry officials. The three cancer drugs are Taxotere, which is made by Sanofi-Aventis, Roche’s Tarceva, and Femara, which is sold by Novart... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1291152 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:00:07 +0100 1291152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1280988&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F246337024%2F This won’t make pharma very happy. Not only will Bangkok’s new government maintain the policy of issuing compulsory licensing for cancer meds, but Bangkok will use it as a key negotiating tactic with drugmakers to reduce prices, The Nation reports. “The use of compulsory licensing must be continued alongside the negotiation with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the price of drug products,” says Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab, who adds that licensing must be used as a tool to help give patients access to livesaving drugs. He explains that his decision to review the policy was due, in part, to the failure of the previous government to approve licenses for four cancer meds befor leaving office last month. Moreover, the Ministry of Commerce told him compulsory... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1280988 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:16:02 +0100 1280988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1274969&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F244977660%2F The recently appointed head of Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration resigned today amid controversy over the new government’s plan to review a policy of overriding patents on several expensive cancer-fighting drugs, the Associated Press writes. Chatree Banchuen was named secretary general of the FDA last week, making him Bangkok’s chief negotiator with drugmakers over pricing and licensing terms. But he decided to resign because he felt “uncomfortable with the politics,” explaining that critics had brought up old, unproven allegations linking him to corruption in a computer procurement project in 2003. He called the allegations “politically motivated and groundless,” without elaborating. The new Thai government expects to complete a review of it... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1274969 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:34:28 +0100 1274969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1268599&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F243310829%2F The Thai official who was responsible for negotiating with drugmakers and mysteriously transferred out of his job earlier this week plans to fight his removal, according to various reports from Bangkok. The job switch came amid pressure from pharma on the new Thai government to rescind the controversial policy of issuing compulsory licenses for widely used medications. ”I am still stunned by this sudden move. What is the real reason behind this so-called approriate reshuffle, as claimed by the minister?” former FDA secretary-general Siriwat Tiptaradol, during a press conference yesterday. He added that the reasons given by the new Health Minister, Chaiya Sasomsub, for the transfer to an inactive post, were vague. Chaiya claimed the transfer was due to delays in FDA inquiries in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1268599 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:19:31 +0100 1268599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1260039&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F241728459%2F Thailand’s chief negotiator with big drugmakers battling Bangkok’s compulsory licensing policy has been removed from his post, Reuters reports. Siriwat Thiptharadon, who heads Thailand’s FDA and who was an architect of the CL policy, was moved to an inactive post, according to Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsabb. “It’s not about the CL issue, it’s about appropriateness,” Chaiya told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting, a remark he did not explain. Chatree Banchuen, a senior Health Ministry official, was appointed head of the FDA and lead negotiator on drug prices. The move by the newly installed Thai government comes amid growing pressure from drugmakers and biotechs on Washington to downgrade its status as a trading partner. This follows the eff... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1260039 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:52:17 +0100 1260039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1255186&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F241073256%2F As Bangkok’s newly installed government reviews the policy to issue compulsory licenses for several widely used medications, Gretchen Hamel, a spokeswoman for the US Trade Rep says the office is, indeed, taking a close look at Thailand’s actions. The move comes after reports that drugmakers and biotechs have been urging the US Trade Rep to downgrade Thailand’s status. “We are disappointed that the Thai government has again chosen to suspend patent rights related to certain medications. We will be examining the details of these latest actions. We hope to see a more positive and transparent approach to IPR protection and innovation on the part of the incoming government,” she told us. She declined to say whether any action against Thailand is planned. UPDATE: Ho... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1255186 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:18:47 +0100 1255186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1255109&cid=t_171198_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F241032107%2Fis-gardasil-responsible-mandate.html If the common goals between the public and the pharmaceutical giant Merck in the controversy over compulsory HPV vaccination were long-term cost containment and public safety by reduction and... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1255109 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:40:11 +0100 1255109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1245268&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F238281403%2F A group of activists and academics have written Thailand’s new health minister, Chaiya Sasomsab, to resist pressure from drugmakers and biotechs to roll back Bangkok’s policy of issuing compulsory licenses. A recent example came when BIO, the biotech trade group, wrote the US Trade Representative, urging that Thailand be placed on the Foreign Priority Country list, which is reserved for the most severe offenders of intellectual property rights. Thailand is already on the rung below, the Priority Watch list. Thailand’s review of compulsory licenses on three high-priced cancer drugs should not be distorted by groundless threats of potential trade sanctions from the brand-name pharmaceutical industry…PhRMA says it will push the US Trade Rep to impose trade sanctions if... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1245268 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:14:27 +0100 1245268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1243531&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F237960825%2F A plan by Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab to review the policy on compulsory licensing for four cancer drugs has hit a major obstacle after officials from three ministries found that it cannot be revoked, The Bangkok Post reports. Chaiya says permanent secretaries of the commerce, foreign affairs and public health ministries have concluded that the ministerial announcements on four cancer drugs made by former public health minister Mongkol na Songkhla were legitimate and could not be lifted. Although Chaiya could not change the policy, a source tells the Post that the government might not take any further action to bypass the patents of cancer drugs. The meeting of the three ministries was ordered by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej last week to decide if it should go ahead with the... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243531 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:14:59 +0100 1243531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1242297&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F237539868%2F As Thailand’s new government considers whether to continue with compulsory licensing, which has involving overriding patents on several branded drugs, a World Health Organization mission confirms that the controversial policy is legal, PharmaTimes reports. Thailand first made use of the World Trade Organization compulsory licence provisions in November 2006 in order to manufacture a generic version of Merck’s Stocrin HIV/AIDS drug, after health minister Mongkol Na Songkhla argued the cost of the imported branded version was unaffordable. Since then, Bangkok issued six more licences, but the new health minister, Chaiya Sasomsab, wants to reverse the policy, questioning its legality and warning of trade sanctions imposed by the US and Europe. However, the report of a seven-member WHO tra... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1242297 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:39:51 +0100 1242297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1236369&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F235771595%2F The battle over breaking patents in Bangkok is growing more heated. BIO, the trade group for biotechs, wrote a letter earlier this week to the US Trade Representative and urged that Thailand be placed on a list for countries that are deemed to be the worst violators of intellectual property rights. This is called Priority Foreign Country. Thailand is already on the rung below, the Priority Watch list. The move comes after Thailand recently issued compulsory licenses on four cancer meds- Taxotere, made by Sanofi-Aventis; Roche’s Tarceva; and Femara, which is sold by Novartis - and last year issued licenses on two AIDS meds and a blood thinner. These steps put the country, which claims the vast majority of the population is hard-pressed to afford these medications, at odds with pharma, whi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1236369 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:30:49 +0100 1236369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1229434&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F234339481%2F The new health minister, who promised last week to review Bangkok’s controversial policy of issuing compulsory licenses, fears possible trade sanctions. The four cancer meds his predecessor targeted would cost $24 million to $27 million a year, which Chaiya Sasomsab tells Reuters “is not a big deal for the government to spend on the people’s health. We would lose much more than that if the United States decides to impose sanctions or boycott us over the issue.” Former Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla overrode Merck’s AIDS drug Efavirenz in late 2006, arguing that Thailand couldn’t afford patented drugs for a national health plan that covers about 80 percent of the country’s 63 million people. He later did the same on a Sanofi-Aventis heart med a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1229434 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:52:08 +0100 1229434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1226704&cid=t_171198_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fcompulsory-kulture-from-commissar.html Commissar BurnhamElsewhere, Dr Crippen looks at the government's latest Stalinist control freakery as Commissar Burnham starts telling teachers how to do their jobs. As a doctor, of course, I am used to this. The teachers face a steep learning curve as they start to grapple with government interference in their professional lives. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1226704 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:46:00 +0100 1226704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1218234&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F231601369%2F In office just a few days and already Chaiya Sasomsab, the new health minister, is under fire from his predecessor, medical experts and health activists for his plan to review the compulsory licensing of cancer meds, The Bangkok Post reports. The former public health minister, Mongkol na Songkhla, who approved licenses to override patents on four cancer meds last month, says Chaiya has the right to conduct a review, but it would be wrong if the number of cancer patients was the only factor considered. Mongkol says that about 15,000 people with lung or liver cancer needed the drugs, but ending compulsory licensing would have a severe impact on their families and relatives, because many would be forced into bankruptcy if they had to help pay for the costly patented drugs. Chaiya, meanwhile... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1218234 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:22:16 +0100 1218234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215499&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F230954900%2F There’s a new health minister in Bangkok, Chaiya Sasomsab, and he vows to review the ministry’s announcement to issue compulsory licences for four cancer meds. His predecessor, Mongkol na Songkhla, had just approved the licenses to override the patents on the drugs last month. But Chaiya tells The Bangkok Post that he wants to review whether it was the right decision to break patent on the drugs - the Femara breast cancer drug sold by Novartis, the Taxotere breast and lung cancer med made by Sanofi-Aventis, and Roche’s Tarceva lung cancer drug. Mongkol caused an international uproar with his decision to advocate compulsory licensing in order to boost access to costly meds under patents. But the policy has advantages and disadvantages, says Chaiya. Decisionmakers have to weig... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215499 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:36:37 +0100 1215499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1197572&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F228032650%2F The country’s outgoing Health Minister, Mongkol na Songkhla, defended stuck by his controversial policy of challenging patent rights and, in an interview with Reuters, says the poor would lose if the policy is revered by a new pro-business government that’s due to take power next month. Mongkol, a hero to health activists and vilified by drugmakers for overriding patents on two AIDS drugs and a heart medicine, is now targeting four cancer drugs in his final days in office. Shortly after a Dec. 23 election marking Thailand’s return to democracy, Mongkol approved compulsory licences allowing Bangkok to make or buy generic versions of the cancer meds. But Thai negotiators will seek a final round of talks before using the licenses. “They have already met twelve times. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1197572 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 21:58:36 +0100 1197572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1195001&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F227248310%2F There are reports circulating Thailand that PhRMA is lobbying Washington to take tough action against the country, The Bangkok Post reports. Puangrat Asavapisit, the Intellectual Property Department’s director-general, says she was informed the trade group met last week in Singapore and that the action would involve the US Trade Representative downgrading Thailand from the current Priority Watch list to Priority Foreign Country, the last and most severe US copyright protection category and subject to trade sanctions. The USTR reviews the status of IP protection for its trading partners every year and classifies problem countries in four categories: Monitoring, Watch, Priority Watch and Priority Foreign Country. Puangrat says the threat came amid recent news that the outgoing military... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1195001 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:42:00 +0100 1195001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191567&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F226766710%2F As a result, Thailand’s public health minister, Mongkol na Songkhla, cancelled a compulsory license for the leukemia drug. Novartis made a last minute offer agreeing to a government condition to provide Gleevec free to all patients under universal healthcare as a trade-off for not seeing its patent overriden, The Bangkok Post reports. Novartis had previously insisted Gleevec would be provided for free only for patients who earn less than $9,600 a year. Mongkol had turned down the offer because health statistics showed that 10 million of the 48 million people under the state healthcare scheme would not be eligible, according to Vichai Chokewiwat, who chairs Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization. An estimated 900 poor patients under the scheme, who have chronic myelo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191567 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:25:34 +0100 1191567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1161230&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F219063807%2F There are two landmark developments roiling India’s drugmakers, The Business Standard reports. The first application for a compulsory license to be filed in India has put a key provision of the Indian Patents Amendment Act under a microscope. The application has been filed by Natco Pharma for Roche’s Tarceva, a lung cancer treatment. The second development involves Cipla - India’s top drug maker - which wants to sell a generic version in what could be the first instance of violation of a patent in the country. Natco’s Adi Narayana told the paper the company is seeking a compulsory license in order to export 30,000 tablets to Nepal, and Natco has offered Roche a 5 percent royalty. The industry sees this as a litmus test for compulsory licensing as the law stipulates a two-y... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1161230 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:27:04 +0100 1161230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1140027&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F214008771%2F The BIO exec and former congressmen recently chatted with PharmAsia News* about various pressing issues of the day. This excerpt touches on the row in Thailand, which wants to extract lower prices on meds. For those who may not recall, Thailand is in the process of breaking patents on several popular drugs (here’s some background). PharmAsia News: How can biotech companies protect their intellectual property rights in Asia when they are up against emerging biosimilars such as Dr. Reddy’s biosimilar of rituximab? Greenwood: Intellectual property rights are under assault in this country and around the world. In some instances, that is for commercial reasons, but in other instances it is because either policy makers and others are understandably feeling a sense of urgency to get a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1140027 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:24:30 +0100 1140027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1106269&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fsex-ring-teachers-convicted.html "Two school teachers have been sentenced to death in China for forcing more than 20 young girls - including some of their own pupils - into prostitution."Read more... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1106269 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:02:00 +0100 1106269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1106270&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Felectric-shocks-for-pupils.html "A secondary school teacher in India has been arrested for disciplining unruly pupils with electric shocks."Read more...Teachers 'tied up pupil on floor': "Two teachers have been suspended from a school in Kent over claims they tied up a student's arms and legs."Read more... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1106270 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:50:00 +0100 1106270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1100286&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F201865746%2F Bangkok now says issuing compulsory licenses appears inevitable after talks with drugmakers aimed at cutting prices collapsed, The Bangkok Post reports. Siriwat Tiptaradol, secretary-general of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), plans to propose to Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla that Thailand proceed with licenses for three breast and lung cancer drugs, Taxoterel, produced by Sanofi-Aventis, Roche’s Tarceva, and Femara, which is sold by Novartis. He was speaking after the fifth round of price negotiation talks with the drugmakers ended in stalemate yesterday. Siriwat says Novartis refused to lower the price of its Letrozole breast cancer med, even though the drugmaker offered an acceptable deal for its Gleevec leukemia drug. Under that deal, Novartis would provide free ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1100286 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:02:06 +0100 1100286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1067804&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fhidden-curriculum.html "The Marxist perspective is critical of the educational system, arguing that it is unfair, and serves to coerce people into accepting their "roles" in an unequal society. Althusser argues that "Teachers are in effect agents of capitalism who through their classroom work reproduce the exploitative relations of capitalism. They produce pupil 'types' who will accordingly receive more or less education and enter the labour force at different points. Marxists tend to regard the manifest curriculum as a "smoke screen" behind which the real agenda, or hidden curriculum, is operative. The aim of the hidden curriculum is to socialise young people into accepting the role assigned to them by the capitalist class. The hidden curriculum teaches submission, deference and respect for the established orga... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1067804 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:32:00 +0100 1067804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1064887&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fdead-prez-they-school.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064887 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:00:00 +0100 1064887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1060054&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fon-news_29.html Special school head is suspendedThe head teacher of a school for boys with emotional and behavioural problems has been suspended.'Weekend detention' plan for pupilsTeenagers who refuse to stay on in education when the leaving age rises to 18 will be forced to attend weekend detention centres under new plans.Teachers in 'exam bribes'26 teachers and education officers are being tried accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars from more than 1,700 students in return for improving their results. The problems are said to be partly due to the "achievement syndrome" trend, where district officials stand to lose their jobs if exam results are poor. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1060054 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:54:00 +0100 1060054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1051372&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F190773394%2F Indonesia has done this before. Now, the Southeast Asian nation is considering issuing compulsory licenses for another three AIDS meds in order to produce cheaper versions, Intellectual Property Watch reports. Apparently, existing funding for three second-line drugs could dry up soon, according to Samsuridjal Djauzi, a physician who is involved in the government’s compulsory licensing activities, IPW writes. Some HIV/AIDS patients develop resistance to their first-line drugs during the course of their treatment and need these second-line meds to boost their immunity. The three under consideration are Gilead’s Viread, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Videx, and Abbott’s Kaletra, says Djauzi, who teaches medical science at University of Indonesia in Jakarta and works at a clinic t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1051372 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:13:12 +0100 1051372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049034&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fdeschooling-society.html "In Deschooling Society, Illich argues that formal schooling is unnecessary, and indeed harmful to society. He regards schools as repressive institutions which indoctrinate pupils, smother creativity and imagination, induce conformity and stultify students into accepting the interests of the powerful. He sees this hidden curriculum operating in the following way.1 Pupils have little or no control over what they learn or how they learn it. They are simply instructed by an authoritarian teaching regime and, to be successful, must conform to its rules. Real learning, however, is not the result of instruction, but of direct and free involvement by the individual in every part of the learning process. In sum, ‘most learning requires no teacher’.2 The power of the school to enforce conformit... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049034 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:33:00 +0100 1049034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1046797&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F189367643%2F Ever since the Thai military coup, Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla has undertaken a coup of his own. He issued compulsory licenses for two AIDS drugs - Merck’s efavirenz and Abbott’s Kaletra - as well as the Plavix bloodthinner marketed by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. In doing so, he caused a furor - the US Trade Rep placed Thailand on its Priority Watch list and big pharma took a beating because Abbott looked like an insensitive bully by playing hardball. More recently, he threatened to issue compulsory licenses for cancer-fighting drugs unless prices are slashed, although Novartis has offered to provide Gleevec for free if Thailand backs off plans to make a generic. Now, though, Mongkol’s term will end after Thailand finally holds a general election on Dec. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1046797 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:11:43 +0100 1046797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1045954&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fschools-and-propaganda.html "Ensuring that children attend school is only one component of the right to education. What children are taught about themselves and others, how they are educated, can amount to indoctrination, advocacy of racism or sexism, propaganda of war, or stultifying regurgitation of useless bits of information."Katarina Tomasevski, the first ever Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1045954 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 22:17:00 +0100 1045954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1045955&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fschools-have-become-hi-tech-prisons.html "Schools have become hi-tech prisons. Children are being conditioned to accept that they are not free and that they must submit to draconian laws and measures for their own safety. Soon enough children will not even know what it is like to act as a private individual within society." Read more... [and scroll down for news links]Make sure you check this. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1045955 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:32:00 +0100 1045955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1040117&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fon-news_21.html Germany 'foils school massacre'"German police say they have thwarted a plot by two students to carry out a massacre at their school. One suspect, aged 17, committed suicide after being questioned about the plot and his alleged accomplice, 18, is under arrest. Last year, a former pupil injured several students in Germany's western town of Emsdetten before turning the gun on himself. [...] In 2002, a former pupil killed 18 people in his school in the eastern city of Erfurt. The gunman then killed himself. In the Columbine massacre in the US, two teenagers shot dead 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves."Mother of truant daughter jailed"A woman has been jailed for two weeks after failing to make her 14-year-old daughter attend school. A city council spokesman said it was Joyce... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1040117 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:09:00 +0100 1040117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037807&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fschooling-as-genocide.html "Unrepentant documents the "deliberate and systematic extermination" of indigenous people within the Indian residential school system by the Catholic, United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches, in collusion with the federal government. The film is based on Annett's groundbreaking book, "Hidden From History: The Canadian Holocaust."Watch more...Related linksWatch on CTV The Untold StoryHidden from historyResidential Schools: An Essential Component of GenocideCanada's Residential SchoolsSchooling as genocide (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037807 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:18:00 +0100 1037807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034862&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fabuse-at-schools.html Oprah's school abuse claims got me googling for the latest news on the topic: these are from the last 2 weeks or so.Oprah Winfrey SchoolMatron faces charges of physical and sexual abuse of students. The school's strict rules were comparable to a prison regime. One girl was grabbed by the throat and thrown against a wall, while others were beaten and hit on numerous occasions. Ms Mokgobo is accused of soliciting under age girls to perform indecent acts. Pupils were ordered to “put on happy faces”.Welsh school staff convicted of abuse92 cases of abuse by school staff in Wales referred to independent investigators have led to criminal convictions. These include allegations of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.School Bus Driver Drugged And Abused KidsA SCHOOL bus driver forced children ... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034862 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:32:00 +0100 1034862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1032970&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhuman-rights-in-education_16.html "Compulsory education is in practice a duty as well as a right of the child. In practice, domestic law often reflects the view that compulsory education is no more than an opportunity for the state to exercise its power to impose, regulate, compel and control the first stage of education, and the right to education is often overlooked. To safeguard against the state’s abuse of this power, human rights measures are necessary. These are orientated towards balancing the right of the state to compel children to be educated and the right of their parents to opt out of compulsory education.Respect for parental freedom to have their children educated in conformity with their religious, moral or philosophical convictions has been affirmed in all human rights treaties. Despite this global consens... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1032970 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:15:00 +0100 1032970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1028235&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fdetention-for-hugging-friends.html A 13 year-old girl was given detention - for hugging her friends. The teen was punished for violating a school policy banning 'public displays of affection' when she hugged two friends. 'I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend,' she said. It's not an isolated case. A 12-year-old was given detention after hugging a friend who had just returned to school after losing a parent.Read more... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1028235 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:28:00 +0100 1028235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1027147&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fjunk-definition.html From: Definition of discard; Merriam-Webster Online DictionaryScrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form: "scrap all the old ways", "would junk our educational system". (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1027147 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:26:00 +0100 1027147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1027148&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhuman-rights-in-education.html "Education is widely – albeit wrongly – perceived as inherently good. Getting all children to school is then equated with their right to education. Questions about what and how children are taught are asked rarely, usually when abuses of and in education are detected. Children can be exposed to advocacy of racism or incitement to genocide. Remedying the harm done by such abuse is difficult, often impossible. The main purpose of human rights is to provide safeguards against abuse of power, and children should have a right to be protected from physical or sexual abuse, from brainwashing or indoctrination. Because we learn too little and too late about abuses of and in education, there are few human rights safeguards in place. Their development is recent and fragmentary, hampered by the w... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1027148 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:39:00 +0100 1027148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025486&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F184636061%2F We called it hondling in my old neighborhood. Whatever you want to call it, the Latin American nation saved a bundle on AIDS drug between 2001 and 2005, according to a new study in the Public Library of Science journal. Infection rates remained at levels comparable to the US and more than 180,000 Brazilians gained access to treatments. The researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health analyzed the costs of individual AIDS drugs in Brazil and found that generic drugs produced in Brazil were actually more expensive than similar drugs made elsewhere. But by haggling with drugmakers for lower prices on their patented brand-name AIDS meds, Brazil was able to lower the overall average costs for AIDS drugs. “Brazil’s AIDS treatment program has been cited widely as the developing ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025486 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:00:33 +0100 1025486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024327&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fextraordinary-child.html I watch the secret smiles danceas you soar away from this stark spaceto the furthest stars and the deepest oceansHe sits, pen in handwill never understandas he waits to tick his boxesBut you won't play.Somewhere far away,My extraordinary childAnd he can not see youAnd he cannot hear youNor glimpse the beauty of your soulMy extraordinary child. [seen at the HE-Special-UK Netpals] (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024327 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:50:00 +0100 1024327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019393&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fexcluded-for-wearing-bracelet.html Sarika Singh, 14, has been suspended from school for wearing a bracelet. During the 9 weeks leading to the exclusion the girl had been taught “in isolation”. Her mother said: “Sarika told us, ‘I don’t go to school any more, I go to prison’.”Read more... (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019393 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:45:00 +0100 1019393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019394&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fhirsts-school.html Damien Hirst, who was paid $10m (£4.7m) for School, said: "The sheep represent uniformity. Through uniform education, people end up as dead sheep; alive, but not much alive."From the Guardian: "The glass-walled lobby is lined not with bookshelves but with medicine cabinets bearing pill boxes and bottles, each one topped with a clock that runs backwards at a different speed. The cow-flanked dove stands at the front of the room, representing the teacher, and in front of it there are three neat rows of "pupils" - 29 pickled sheep, their heads severed from their skinless bodies." (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019394 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:05:00 +0100 1019394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1018927&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fmass-education.html From: Rudiments of Wisdom by Tim Hunkin (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1018927 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:11:00 +0100 1018927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1018382&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fwar-on-kids.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1018382 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:24:00 +0100 1018382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015805&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Feducation-and-human-rights.html "Parents educate their children, governments their citizens. Government human rights obligations include ensuring that education is available as well as respecting parental freedom to choose the education of their children. Compulsory education represents the power of the state to impose, regulate, compel and control education. As for all other powers of the state, human rights safeguards are necessary. Parental freedom of choice concerning education of their children has been the counterweight to the imposition of uniform public education from the very emergence of international human rights law."Katarina TomasevskiSpecial Rapporteur on the right to education of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015805 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:55:00 +0100 1015805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1014996&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fschool-shootings.html Finnish School gunman 'was bullied'Previous school massacresList of school shootings and attacksYouTube school shootings video (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1014996 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:36:00 +0100 1014996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012391&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fon-news_07.html Fatal shooting at Finnish school "At least seven people have been killed and several others injured in a shooting at a school in southern Finland."Teens to face fines for dropping out of school "Teenagers who play truant after the school leaving age is raised to 18 face court fines of up to £200 or on-the-spot penalties of £50."Parents unhappy with traditional system turn to home school"THOUSANDS of Australian parents are pulling their children out of schools to educate them at home."German Homeschoolers facing $6,300 fine"Government levies penalty to stamp out different views." (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012391 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:39:00 +0100 1012391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1005223&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fcoercion-and-criminalisation-of-young.html "TEENAGERS who refuse to work, attend training or go to school are to be issued with on the spot fines under government proposals. Any who still fail to comply would then be taken to court where they could face further penalties.The measures are designed to enforce a new law which will say that all teenagers must remain in education, training or employment until they are 18. The new law will effectively outlaw “Neets”, about 10% of 16 to 18-year-olds who are “not in education, employment or training”."Read more. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1005223 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:12:00 +0100 1005223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002811&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fon-news.html Alarming rise of Children’s ID databases and biometrics in schoolSix officers storm house of boy who wrote his name in chocolate on a youth centre wall (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002811 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:37:00 +0100 1002811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002524&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fsavage-chickens.html Cartoons on sticky notes by Doug Savage - click here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002524 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:15:00 +0100 1002524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002291&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fon-education.html "A brilliant diploma film made by Raja Mohanty. Education is all about controlling and shaping the minds of the young. A movie worth seeing for everyone interested in education." (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002291 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:38:00 +0100 1002291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1001042&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fcontrol-of-conduct.html Dr. Cattell, on the purpose of government schooling: "The scientific control of conduct is what schools are about. The scientific control of conduct is of greater economic importance than the use of electricity or steel." [1923]John Gatto's thoughts on this: "Once you think that the control of conduct is what schools are about, the word "reform" takes on a very particular meaning. It means making adjustments to the machine so that young subjects will not twist and turn while their minds and bodies are being scientifically controlled. Helping kids to use their minds better is beside the point." (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1001042 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:56:00 +0100 1001042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=998678&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Ftale-of-two-children_01.html The Trip to School: An animation about the difference between public and home education. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=998678 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:14:00 +0100 998678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=995016&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Faristotle-on-education.html "No one will doubt that the legislator should direct his attention above all to the education of the youth... The citizen should be moulded to suit the form of government under which he lives." (384 BC – 322 BC) (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=995016 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:45:00 +0100 995016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979227&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fsafe-at-school.html Wanna hear the latest school news? We've got school shootings once again [4 shot at middle school game], MRSA superbug infections, and another case of school abuse:"Teachers punished a 13-year-old boy by making him stand, kneel and squat in place nearly all day for nine days, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Jonte Spane, now 14, injured his right hip and had to have a pin surgically inserted."Closer to home, the talk on truancy continues. "Unauthorised absences were 1.42%". What's the big deal, I wonder? Schools should never be compulsory anyway! Young people's choice not to attend school should be respected rather than stereotyped. And why make a fuss and criminalise parents while allowing schools and academies to continue to expel and exclude pupils?In brief, children who attend s... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979227 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:00:00 +0100 979227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=976550&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174464780%2F The Thailand Competition Commission is meeting this week to hear a complaint filed by various AIDS activists that the drugmaker violated Thai law by threatening not to sell new drugs in the country, according to Essential Action, a Washington, DC-based consumer group. Abbott made that move earlier this year after Bangkok issued a compulsory license for its Kaletra AIDS med, although later agreed to sell a new, lower-strength pediatric version. Drugmakers, in general, are concerned with Thailand’s actions, which included issuing compulsory licenses for other widely used meds. The US Trade Rep, meanwhile, placed Bangkok on its Priority Watch list. But while negotiations have so far yielded little progress, Abbott’s reaction hasn’t drawn uniform backing from pharma. “T... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976550 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:43:43 +0100 976550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=970114&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fschools-or-prisons.html "Children are being tracked by micro-chips embedded in their uniforms in a trial at a secondary school. The devices are used to monitor pupils’ movements and register their arrival in class on the teacher’s computer. The scheme has drawn criticism from human rights campaigners. “Tagging is what we do to criminals we let out of prison early,” said David Cleater, from Leave Them Kids Alone, which campaigns against the finger-printing of pupils. “It is appalling.”Graham Wakeling, the head teacher, denied that the school was adopting a “Big Brother” mentality." [read more here] (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970114 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:18:00 +0100 970114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=958994&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F171167656%2F For the first time since Bangkok threatened last month to override the patents on four cancer drugs - Roche’s Tarceva; Taxotere from Sanofi-Aventis; and Novartis’ Femara and Gleevec - Thailand’s FDA secretary general Siriwat Thiptaradol will meet with the drugmakers in hopes of obtaining lower prices, The Bangkok Post reports. Last month, Thailand threatened to issue compulsory licenses, as it has begun doing for AIDS and heart meds, if the prices weren’t lowerd. The threats aren’t idle, as pharma continues to learn. Yesterday, for instance, Thailand completed the registration process for Aluvia, a heat-resistance form of Abbott’s Kaletra, for use under a compulsory licensing program. And the first shipment will be made soon by India’s Matrix Laboratories,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=958994 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:22:40 +0100 958994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=956140&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Ftaking-off-our-school-coloured-glasses.html by Manish Jain "John Holt (1976) has described that when most people use the word ‘education’, they are in fact referring to some kind of Treatment – which typically involves transmitting, thought-controlling, indoctrinating, social-engineering, coercing, and manipulating other human beings who are perceived either to have some sickness to be cured or some deficit to be filled.The most common form of this Treatment takes place through Schooling. So before people go to school, they and their communities are diagnosed by some outside ‘expert’ and branded with dehumanizing labels like ‘uneducated’, ‘illiterate’, ‘uncivilized’, ‘irrational’, ‘backward’, ‘underdeveloped’, ‘unreached’, etc. In other words, one is not fully human, nor can one ever hope to be,... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=956140 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:12:00 +0100 956140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=949701&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fexpelled.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=949701 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:54:00 +0100 949701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=949702&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fyou-gotta-go-to-school.html (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=949702 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:46:00 +0100 949702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=945363&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Feducation-news_6343.html Primary children 'suffer stress'Study reveals stressed out 7-11 year-oldsPushy parents fuel exam stress for children Pressure of tests ‘means primary school pupils lose their childhood’ (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=945363 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:16:00 +0100 945363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=925347&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fcrackdown-on-protest.html While in Burma protesting monks are shot, here in the UK protesting teenage pupils are given temporary exclusions. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=925347 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:07:00 +0100 925347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=923750&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhitlers-children-education.html In Hitler´s Third Reich children joined the "Jungvolk" movement at the age of 10, they joined the Hitler Youth at 14, and at 18 they joined the party, the "Wehrmacht", the SA, or the SS. This documentary demonstrates how Hitler succeeded in gaining power over "his children" through years of manipulation. "Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way round". from Mein Kampf page 376 (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=923750 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:00:00 +0100 923750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914133&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwatch-online.html Here's some videos about the reality of children's lives in the 21st century. To watch them just click on the title.School Bullies - Japan"A lot of children crack up under the pressure and there are a lot of negative things that happen like bullying. The Hiranos' son committed suicide after he was bullied at a new school. The school authorities made no comment. Satoru Ikeda, teacher, thinks that many students have lost their identity because of a harsh education system in Japan which does not tolerate individuality."Brat Camp - China"The Chinese have come up with a unique way of reforming naughty children or bad students. They're sent to 'walking school' and forced to march up to 800 km across the country." Children of Blessing - China"Flower, Rascal and their friends come from a remote vi... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914133 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:51:00 +0100 914133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911915&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fschool-news.html Teacher jailed for abusing boys A Lincolnshire man who sexually assaulted two boys has been jailed for six years. Head fined £20,000 over boy's deathPorter was found guilty by an 11-1 majority jury verdict of failing to do enough to make the school safe. Boy, 5, attacks pupil with knifeShots fired at school; gunman caught (USA)OROVILLE, Calif. - A student fired shots inside a high school and held three students hostage for over an hour before he was taken into custody Friday morning, authorities said. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911915 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:58:00 +0100 911915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=903409&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fschool-memories-of-aspie.html My Futureby Joshua MuggletonMy future, my present, my past, are all controlledThe horror, the memories of my past, stop me from restingWhat happened is seared on my mindNever to forget the pain of schoolThe memories haunts me, in my dreamsThe memories torments me in my thoughtsThe memories kills me in my hopesThe memories chokes me in my lifePart of my sanity, lies in the school yardScreaming in agony in what it has to endure.What is left of my sanity, weeps for the restIn drowning sorrow, and merciless hateThe memories follow me, a shadow of my beingWhen I run, it runs with me, when I hide, it hides with meWhen I travel, it travels with me, when I speak, it speaks with meThe Hyde to my Jeckyll, the devil to my angel, the darkness to my lightThe strength of the memories, the pain, is unima... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=903409 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:12:00 +0100 903409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=903793&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F161239299%2F More than 100 different organizations - representing consumers, labor, fair trade, health advocacy and religious groups - are banding together to urge Congress to support resolutions calling for the US to reaffirm its commitment to international treaties that promote access to medicines and innovations in new medical technologies in developing countries. Specifically, the groups (you can see a list below) are referring to the Doha declaration of TRIPS, the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights. (For a quick primer, look at this). A House resolution was introduced by Tom Allen, a Democrat from Maine, and Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, introduced a resolution in the Senate. “In developing countries, the price of medicines is often a life-and-death matter,” s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=903793 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:35:39 +0100 903793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=897083&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F160791153%2F The country’s National Health Security Office is renewing its threat to issue compulsory licenses on at least three cancer meds if negoiations with drugmakers don’t yield lower prices, The Bangkok Post reports. The drugs that could be affected include Genentech’s Tarceva; Taxotere from Sanofi-Aventis; and Novartis’ Femara. The meds are used to treat various cancers, ranging from tumors, breast and lung cancer. Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Mongkol Na Songkhla confirmed the government will carefully and thoroughly consider its move to effectively “break the patents” of the cancer med, but stressed the move was necessary if the government wanted to ensure broader access to necessary drugs. “To apply the CL is Thailand’s last resort,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=897083 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:42:50 +0100 897083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=880361&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F158030527%2F Rise and shine, everyone. The dog has pooped. The kids are off to school. The other commuters are finally out of your way. Time to catch up on the latest… Provenge Protest At FDA HQ Today (The Associated Press) Novartis Bone Drug Cuts Deaths (The Star-Ledger of New Jersey) Sanofi-Aventis Says Tiny Dose Of Flu Shot Worked (Bloomberg News) Wockhardt And Lupin Want To Buy Par Pharmaceuticals (The Times of India) Doctor Takes Stand In Prempro Case Against Wyeth (Reno Gazette-Journal) Kenya’s Parliament Rejects Bid To Revoke Compulsory Licensing (IP Watch) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=880361 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:42:18 +0100 880361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=877685&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fvideo-play.mp4%3FcontentId%3Ddc1a92f7f406e100%26type%3Dvideo%252Fmp4 (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=877685 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:35:00 +0100 877685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=867458&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F155684472%2F In observance of ancient traditions, we will take a break over the next two days, and return some time over the weekend. We recognize that the world will continue spinning in our absence, but assure you that we will be back soon enough to resume the daily dose of news, views and chatter that turns you on. Until then, we wish you the best. FDA Panel Votes To Keep Bayer’s Trasylol On The Market (Yahoo/AP) King Seeks Reheaing On Altace Patent Ruling (Yahoo/Reuters) Kenya’s Parliament Debates Scrapping Compulsory Licensing (IP Watch) Biogen Opens Office In India (BioPharma Reporter) Court Finds Ranbaxy Generic Would Violate Lipitor Patent (Yahoo/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867458 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:58:20 +0100 867458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=865537&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fvideo-play.mp4%3FcontentId%3D1e0acc33e1d44570%26type%3Dvideo%252Fmp4 This is getting addictive. Here's another one made earlier! (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=865537 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:01:00 +0100 865537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=862235&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F155010894%2F Yes, indeed, time for another day. And so here are a few items to help you get caught up. And please do take our latest poll in which we ask whether medical journals should disclose all variety of financial ties to drugmakers (click here or scroll down). Roche Sues Teva Over Boniva Osteoporosis Drug (Yahoo/AP) Sepracor Signs Glaxo To Market Lunesta Outside US And Japan (Yahoo/AP) Arena To Continue Studies For Obesity Pill (Yahoo/Reuters) Patent Reform Moves To US Senate (eWeek.com) Erbitux Improves Survival In Lung-Cancer Patients; Merck Shares Jump (Bloomberg News) Swedish Politician Defends Thailand In Compulsory Licensing Dispute (ScandAsia.com) Novartis’ Sandoz To Launch Generic EPO In Europe Next Month (MSNBC.com) Palatin’s Plan For Sexual Dysfunction Drug Goes Limp (The S... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=862235 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:23:44 +0100 862235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=840782&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F152228822%2F Last month, a court in India dismissed a contentious and widely followed lawsuit brought against the government by Novartis, which hoped to secure certain patent rights for its Gleevec cancer med. Novartis lost and has since threatened to move operations out of India. Some advocates say patients in poorer countries were big winners. Nature spoke with Jamie Love, director of the nonprofit organization Knowledge Ecology International, who explains the global impact. This is a brief excerpt… Nature: Nearly half a million people signed a petition, floated by Doctors Without Borders, calling on Novartis to drop this case. Why? What was at stake in the outcome? Love: India has the most important patent law in the world, in terms of global health. India is also the primary supplier of cheap... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=840782 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:35:58 +0100 840782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=840646&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fschoolboy.html by William Blake.I love to rise in a summer mornwhen the birds sing on every tree;The distant huntsman winds his horn,And the skylark sings with me;O what sweet company!But to go to school in a summer morn,O it drives all joy away!Under a cruel eye outworn,The little ones spend the dayIn sighing and dismay.Ah then at times I drooping sit,And spend many an anxious hour;Nor in my book can I take delight,Nor sit in learning's bower,Worn through with the dreary shower.How can the bird that is born for joySit in a cage and sing?How can a child when fears annoyBut droop his tender wing,And forget his youthful spring?O father and mother, if buds are nipped,And blossoms blown away;And if the tender plants are strippedOf their joy in the springing day,By sorrow and care's dismay,How shall the summe... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=840646 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:50:00 +0100 840646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=840647&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fbanking-education.html Find out more about Personalised Education: WATCH THIS ANIMATION. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=840647 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:05:00 +0100 840647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816797&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F146980286%2F Bangkok plans to import copycats of the popular bloodthinner and shipments are expected to arrive from India within two months, according to Vichai Chokvivat, chairman of the state-run Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Thomson Financial reports. The first batch will consist of 2 million pills and cost three cents each, compared with about $2 in pharmacies, he says. The army-run government is already importing cheaper versions of Efavirenz from India. The move is likely to set intensify an already inflamed situation. For months, Thailand has sparred with big drugmakers over plans to issue compulsory licenses - which suspends patent protections - for two AIDS meds, Abbott’s Kaletra and Merck’s Efavirenza, as well as Plavix, which is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sano... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816797 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:55:52 +0100 816797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806971&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Ffleeing-from-school_18.html What follows is part of an article that can be seen here.Austria's Chancellor offers personal help where the German democratic state has failed: Parents want to protect their daughter from enforced school attendance in GermanyMadeline suffered severe brain damage as a result of oxygen deprivation at birth, which consequently affected her motor function. In spite of her severe handicap, the five year old must start school in September. "She wouldn't be able to endure the monotony of the school day," warns her paediatrician, Olaf Marzian. This has been confirmed by several other doctors.Because the officials are insisting on compulsory school attendance, the family has no other choice but to flee to Austria. Here, in particular, they have the option of home education instead of school attend... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806971 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 20:50:00 +0100 806971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794232&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fbertrand-russell.html Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.We are faced with the paradoxical fact that education has become one of the chief obstacles to intelligence and freedom of thought.The majority of parents feel affection for their children, and this sets limits to the harm they do them. But education authorities have no affection for the children concerned; at best, they are actuated by public spirit, which is directed towards the community as a whole, and not merely towards the children; at worst, they are politicians engaged in squabbles for plums.Another merit of home is that it preserves the diversity between individuals. If we were all alike, it might be convenient for the bureaucrat and the statistician, but it would be very dull, and would lead to a very unprogress... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794232 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:57:00 +0100 794232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794233&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fquote.html "To confuse compulsory schooling with equal educational opportunity is like confusing organized religion with spirituality. One does not necessarily lead to the other. Schooling confuses teaching with learning, grade advancement with education, a diploma with competence, and fluency with the ability to say something new. "Wendy Priesnitz (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794233 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:52:00 +0100 794233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=792979&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fweapons-of-mass-instruction_10.html I was googling for Gatto's Weapons of Mass Instruction when I came across these here.Thanks to the cartoonist! (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=792979 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:45:00 +0100 792979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791519&cid=t_171198_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F142592877%2F Thailand has been warned by the European Commission against moves to force drugmakers to drop prices for poor patients or lose sales, adding to US pressure over patent protection, The Financial Times reports. Peter Mandelson, the trade commissioner, has written to Bangkok to protest its use of compulsory licences, allowing it to import cheaper generics of branded meds, the Times adds. Thailand was the first middle-income country to break the patent on a medicine to treat a non-infectious disease and to threaten compulsory licences for an array of other such drugs. Mandelson’s letter, seen by the Financial Times, says Bangkok “may be taking a new approach on access to medicines”. It says the military government has “stated that if drug companies wish to do business in Thailand they ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791519 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:01:54 +0100 791519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=790597&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fconversion_421.html I've just finished translating a text on religious conversion and was struck by the similarities to what we could call "educational conversion."For example, tolerance of other faiths parallels tolerance of different educational approaches. Although in Britain some LAs [Local Authorities] seem tolerant of education other than at school, we could say that parents are continuously on the receiving end of governments' forced and subtle conversion campaigns. Some countries, like Germany, wage holy wars against home educating families, while others rely on subtler methods of conversion, like the removal of economic incentives; the British government, for example, gives schools £3,500 to £5,000 per child per year whilst giving nothing [but hassle] to home-educating parents. An even subtler meth... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=790597 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:57:00 +0100 790597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=744854&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Four-killing-schools.html : A Political Philosopher's Perspective Researching the problem of school violenceLecture by C. Bradley Thomps [1hr 4mn]Listen here. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=744854 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:36:00 +0100 744854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=738958&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fhidden-curricula.html Links to shorter videos: * A teacher's thoughts on John Gatto's Dumbing Us Down [watch part 1 & part 2]* Sudbury Valley School [A different model of education] (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=738958 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:16:00 +0100 738958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=695321&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fschool-real-purpose_25.html is the title of this short video (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=695321 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:51:00 +0100 695321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693276&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fplatos-republic_24.html [extract from Book VII]And, therefore, calculation and geometry and all the other elements of instruction, which are a preparation for dialectic, should be presented to the mind in childhood; not, however, under any notion of forcing our system of education.Why not?Because a freeman ought not to be a slave in the acquisition of knowledge of any kind. Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.Very true.Then, my good friend, I said, do not use compulsion, but let early education be a sort of amusement; you will then be better able to find out the natural bent.That is a very rational notion, he said. (Source: Aspie Home-Education) Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693276 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:22:00 +0100 693276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688639&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fdisabling-system.html A taster of The Future of Work by Charles Handy, a visiting Professor at the London Business School, writer, teacher, and broadcaster."To be a pupil in a large school is a strange experience. How many of us, if asked to organise an office, would so arrange things that people worked for eight or nine bosses a week, in perhaps five different work groups, in seven different rooms, without any desk or chair to call their own or put their belongings and discouraged, if not prohibited, from talking to anyone while working? Furthermore, which of us would then interrupt them thirty minutes into each task and move them on to the next? Only slightly caricatured, that is the experience of a pupil in a large secondary school.The truth is that, organizationally, the secondary school is not organised ar... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688639 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:38:00 +0100 688639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688637&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Freflections.html Today I heard that another home educating mum was arrested in Germany. It's sickening... and sad... When I decided to home educate I was merely driven by the desire to provide a non-harmful learning environment. That was all I was concerned about, after realising what most people from the teaching and caring professions don't seem to; that "school is one of the most challenging environments for children with ASDs" and that "the sheer number of pupils and the consequent additional noise and confusion in secondary schools can make this a very difficult environment." At least I had become aware that children with ASDs are "expected to fit into existing routines and structures... with distressing results..." [G.Jones]When I first embarked on this home-educating journey, I didn't realise that I... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688637 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:28:00 +0100 688637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=683281&cid=t_171198_133_f&fid=35090&url=http%3A%2F%2Faspiehomeeducation.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Feducation-in-england.html While exploring the origins of compulsory education I came across Derek Gillard's website,Education in England. If you're interested, here's a little taster:"The philosophy of this government seems to me to be based on the utilitarian view that the child is a unit to be prepared for a life of work, that the child has no individuality of his/her own." - Gillard D. (1992)Elsewhere he points out Tony Blair's argument: 'Education throughout life is central to our economic and social policy'. A similar argument was behind the Foster Act of 1870, which made education compulsory: 'upon the speedy provision of elementary education depends our industrial prosperity'. This type of thinking results in redefining education as preparation for work, as a tool for shaping attitudes and behaviours; e.g. b... Aspie Home-Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=683281 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:33:00 +0100 683281