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Understanding drug information - How to read between the lines

According to HAI contact Alan Cassels, consumers often face an uphill battle in getting the information they need to make good decisions about their own drug therapy. Despite the fact that there is a flood of material available on medicines, much of it is either incomplete, biased, or unreadable for the patient.  Often the information is sponsored by disease groups or drug manufacturers that promote certain therapies regardless of the evidence of their effectiveness.  Consumers are often unaware of the bias which can sneak into drug information material.

In our lead story, Cassels describes why some drug information available to consumers, which presents the probable benefits of a medication one way and the harms in another, might be seen as  promotion in disguise.  In any case there is reason for the consumer to be skeptical in their reading of reports of new medicines.

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Also in this issue:

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PC	Mac
		Drug Policy		Health policy on trial?  - the consequences for technology assessment EMEA accelerates CPMP opinion postings Portuguese lead EU drug policy conference Canadian whistle-blower fails to have EU ban drug EMEA Executive Director moves to Commission
		WHO Revised Drug Strategy Watch		WHA calls on WHO and members to help improve access WHO/EDM Management Changes WHO-NGO 3rd Roundtable Meeting Held
		Drug Promotion		Medical journal apologises about conflict of interest Belgium to tackle rep visits EU explores advertising and e-commerce Can a gift ever be just a gift? US agency acts to stop illegal Internet sales
		Campaigns		Secrecy in the Canadian drug regulatory system: Does industry run the show? The future funding of drug regulatory agencies Canadian coalition highlights policy’s effect on women’s health IMF – World Bank Protests Coalition pushes for global register for clinical trials Active or abnormal? - US focuses on irrational use of calming drugs for children WHO reports on results with donations guidelines
		Drug Information		French-language version of Problem Drugs available INRUD now available on the web Bringing research to NGOs EDM updates website Meeting to examine consumers’ views on medicines BNF now available on line
		Pharmaceuticals and Trade		Focusing on access at the EU Durban focuses on access Patents’ rights or patients rights
		Members' corner		Patti Rundall honoured by British Government Tragedy in Norway Oscar Lanza wins Olle Hansson award
		Publications		Overcoming Human Poverty - UNDP Poverty Report 2000 Europe Inc. : Regional & Global Restructuring and the Rise of Corporate Power Ethical Issues in the Publication of Medical Information Development – Responses to Globalization: Rethinking Health and Equity Prozac Backlash - Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives Your Drug May Be Your Problem, How and Why to Stop Taking Psychiatric Drugs Whose Trade Organization? Corporate Globalization and the Erosion of Democracy

HAI-Lights is produced three times a year by the HAI Europe office, together with members of the regional network. Contributions are welcome for future issues. Please send information to: info@haiweb.org.

For subscription information, please contact the HAI Europe office.

Editors for this issue: Lisa Hayes and Karen Tsafrir

Contributors to this issue: Alan Cassels, Margaret Ewen, Rose de Groot, Bas van der Heide, Elina Hemminki, Andrew Herxheimer, Scott Hillstrom, Ellen ‘t Hoen, Christophe Koppe, Joel Lexchin, Clara MacKay, Frank van Meerendonk, Barbara Mintzes, Claudia Montenegro, Kirsten Myhr, Charlotte de Roo, Staffan Svensson, Lena Westin and Els Witschge.

Designer: Sadara