Re: Homeopathic overdose protest in Boots | Forum

Homeopathic overdose protest in Boots

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dave clarkson Jan 29, 2010 20:03:55

Replying to Merrick

" but having them in the pharmacy making unfounded claims for their medical effectiveness is misleading and dangerous."

...they've never made claims for or against their effectiveness. They're just as much in the dark about the effectiveness as you or I. That's not to say they can't supply them upon the data they do have about them to people who want them and believe they work for themselves. Surely it's your GP who should be responsible for giving the advice you need. If that's ineffective then that's a problem.

"Paul Bennett, Boots' Professional Standards Director and Superintendent Pharmacist, gave evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on 25 November."

I'm not here to defend Mr bennett but where did he use the word 'useless'?

"Would that make it OK for a pharmacy to sell cola for post-sex vaginal douching as a contraceptive? After all, some people think it works. Would Boots sell paper condoms?"

Pepsi or Rola Cola?
Pharmacists are not your doctor -they prepare what your GP prescribes.
Don't forget that pharmacies will also give people GSK's Seroxat (Paroxetine) if prescribed by the GP - one of the most controversial drugs in recent years and one which has been known to lead to suicides in some instances but also has had countless claims of ineffectiveness. This drug was approved by the FDA in 1992.
Is this another grey area? Who's ultimately responsible?

keith a Jan 31, 2010 20:09:00

Replying to dave clarkson

dave clarkson wrote:

"Paul Bennett, Boots' Professional Standards Director and Superintendent Pharmacist, gave evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on 25 November."

I'm not here to defend Mr bennett but where did he use the word 'useless'?

Yeah, I read that, too and I found nothing of the sort. That's the second statement that I've read from Merrick this past week or so that appears mis-leading.

stray Feb 1, 2010 03:16:54

Replying to dave clarkson

dave clarkson wrote:

"
Don't forget that pharmacies will also give people GSK's Seroxat (Paroxetine) if prescribed by the GP - one of the most controversial drugs in recent years and one which has been known to lead to suicides in some instances but also has had countless claims of ineffectiveness. This drug was approved by the FDA in 1992.

Fucking spot on, now that is something that is defintely worth protesting about. As much as the general idea of this homeopathic overdose protest made me giggle like a child when I first head about it, FFS, there are much more worthwhile things to get annoyed about. My concern is for the people who actually believe its worth making such a big deal about, what they say themselves, are useless ineffective medicants. Lives and perspectives need to be acquired I feel.

Merrick Feb 3, 2010 12:41:23

Replying to dave clarkson

dave clarkson wrote:

they've never made claims for or against their effectiveness.

I regard selling pills in a pharmacy with labels saying they treat specific medical conditions as making a claim for its effectiveness. Don't you?

dave clarkson wrote:

Surely it's your GP who should be responsible for giving the advice you need.

dave clarkson wrote:

Pharmacists are not your doctor -they prepare what your GP prescribes.

Supplying GPs' prescriptions is only part of their job. Chemists and pharmacists are trained to do diagnosis and advise for minor ailments.

dave clarkson wrote:

Don't forget that pharmacies will also give people GSK's Seroxat

As I Said to Handofdave, disapproving of pharmacists selling ineffectual pills does not imply blanket approval of prescribed medicines or the pharmaceutical industry. There are certainly loads of dangerous prescribed medicines around, lots of fake needs generated by Big Pharma. But that's a completely separate issue.

dave clarkson wrote:

where did he use the word 'useless'?

He didn't use the word. Being in a political enquiry and defending his position, he use more florid terms. He said 'I have no evidence before me to suggest that they are efficacious, and we look very much for the evidence to support that'. But he explained that as people want to buy them, he wants to sell them.

That being the case, why not sell statuettes of the Virgin Mary to pray to for healing? Lots of people find them to be very effective. Ditto cola as contraceptive vaginal douche.