Comments on: NHS Medicine, Liberty, Money and 2009

By: Dr. Kaplan

Dr. Kaplan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:22:15 +0000

Hi Samuel,
It’s interesting that nobody wants to talk about this £500 million whereas the £10 million spent on homeopathy is a terrible waste that could be spent better elsewhere – for example banning NHS homeopathic prescription for a whole year could have paid for 2% of the NHS Tamiflu-for-swine flu bill. Of course this isn’t news. However I would be wary of saying that critics of homeopathy are ‘sponsored’ by Big Pharma without producing evidence. We live in an ‘evidence-based society’ I am told. In the wikipedia entrance of Sense about Science the following appears under Funding:’For the fiscal year ending 5 April 2008, the trust received £145,902 in donations.[51] Disclosed corporate donations comprised £88,000 with pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca donating £35,000.[51] Other contributing pharmaceutical companies include Dupont and Pfizer.[48]‘ This looks pretty clear unless all this is made up – which seems unlikely. We must never, ever criticise anybody of being ‘funded by Big Pharma etc.’ unless we can produce evidence. Sometimes this is hard to do – in which case we must hold our fire.

By: Samuel

Samuel — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:37:49 +0000

Brian, A most eloquent sketch of the “elephant in the living room” of the NHS, thanks for that.
At least we can console ourselves that the £500,000,000 on Tamiflu etc represents a well deserved economic stimulus to Big Pharma, who after all do such a wonderful job of sponsoring some very persistent and strident critics of homeopathy –of course in the name of “evidence based medicine”. It all keeps the anti-CAM meatgrinder turning nicely.
keep up the good work
best wishes
Samuel

By: Dr. Kaplan

Dr. Kaplan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:03:56 +0000

Hi Paul,
Yes indeed. But of course 500 million pounds allegedly wasted on Tamiflu for swine flu is not ‘news’ whereas 10 million on homeopathic medicines is a travesty worthy of discussing in the House of Commons! There is a limit to how much time I’m prepared to talk ‘seriously’ to people like that on the net although I’ll always accept an invitation to a live debate. As the great man Wilde said: ‘Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about it.’ Provocative Therapy is my first love these days and I’ll continue to use it to defend homeopathy. Have a good holiday season and thanks for your support.

By: paul

paul — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:49:20 +0000

Season greetings. Yes it interesting to note the complete lack of any sceptical comments regarding tamiflu. Not a scientific study by any means but I only know of two people who took it. One has been away from work ever since and the other said “what the fxxxing hell have they given me, i feel dreadful”.

Anyway look forward to your future debate with Mr Lewis and co.
Best wishes