Broccoli could save your life
- 2016年 2月 24日
2016年2月29日 星期一
驚 核一將成核廢場
前幾天還讀到某人分析：核電最廉價.....他們遺漏很多。
驚 核一將成核廢場
後年除役就地貯存 北北基700萬人受威脅
【洪敏隆、陳雅芃╱台北報導】政黨輪替，國內三座核電廠可望如期停機除役。《蘋果》掌握台電日前送交原能會審查核一廠除役計劃，核一廠一號機預定後年十二月五日起停機、二號機隔年七月停機，並將以二十五年完成除污、拆廠等作業，除役後的大量高放射性用過核燃料棒，台電規劃在廠內興建大型核廢貯存場存放四十年。環團昨痛批拆廠還留大量核廢料，將直接威脅北北基七百萬人安全；專家則指，核電廠若如期陸續除役，高階核廢料何去何從是一大難題，將考驗新政府。
總統當選人蔡英文昨至台南科學園區參訪時表示，新政府會積極建立永續的能源系統，在二○二五年走向非核家園。蔡英文幕僚說，蔡提的非核家園目標也就是現有三座核電廠如期除役，核四也不商轉。
蔡英文的主張，代表國內現有三座核電廠都可望在法定運轉年限到期後，如期除役，不再延役繼續運轉。而據台電日前送交原能會審查的核一廠除役計劃，核一廠一號機將從後年十二月五日起停機、二號機隔年七月停機，之後將以八年去除輻射污染，再以十二年進行汽機廠房、反應爐等設備拆解，最後以三年偵測廠區輻射情況、兩年時間復原土地等，總計前後將以二十五年完成除役。
蔡英文的主張，代表國內現有三座核電廠都可望在法定運轉年限到期後，如期除役，不再延役繼續運轉。而據台電日前送交原能會審查的核一廠除役計劃，核一廠一號機將從後年十二月五日起停機、二號機隔年七月停機，之後將以八年去除輻射污染，再以十二年進行汽機廠房、反應爐等設備拆解，最後以三年偵測廠區輻射情況、兩年時間復原土地等，總計前後將以二十五年完成除役。
核廢料規劃放40年
台電預估核一廠除役經費是一百八十二億元，將由核能後端營運基金提撥，未來完全除役後，規劃原廠址用地將做為風力發電設施用地及紀念公園。不過，拆除廠房後，將有七千四百束屬高階核廢料的用過核燃料棒，另也有廠房設備等六萬多桶低階核廢料，台電規劃將廠內西南區劃設為保留區，興建第二期乾式貯存場、低放射性廢棄物貯存庫、低放射性廢棄物焚化爐等設施，預估在除役第二階段開始時啟用，規劃使用時程四十年。
由於台電先前為解決用過燃料棒貯存空間不足問題，已在核一廠區內規劃興建、可貯存一千六百八十束用過燃料棒的露天式第一期乾式貯存場，引起新北市府及北海岸環團強烈反對，現台電又規劃興建比第一期乾式貯存場規模大三至四倍的第二期貯存場，貯放除役後剩餘的五千七百二十束用過核燃料棒，引發環團不滿。
由於台電先前為解決用過燃料棒貯存空間不足問題，已在核一廠區內規劃興建、可貯存一千六百八十束用過燃料棒的露天式第一期乾式貯存場，引起新北市府及北海岸環團強烈反對，現台電又規劃興建比第一期乾式貯存場規模大三至四倍的第二期貯存場，貯放除役後剩餘的五千七百二十束用過核燃料棒，引發環團不滿。
環團憂桶裂洩輻射
「核電廠除役精神不是要把一個乾淨土地還原，還給人民嗎？」北海岸反核自救會執行長郭慶霖昨痛批，核一廠「糟蹋」北海岸已快四十年，現還要再忍受另一個四十年，居民絕對無法接受。若台電要將除役後的核廢料都放在核一廠內，決策過程應公開，且由北海岸鄉親決定，如果台電跟政府一意孤行，絕對會採激烈手段保衛家園。
綠色公民行動聯盟副秘書長洪申翰說，如核廢料要保留在核一廠內，台電絕不能採取跟一期一樣的露天式乾貯場，因為四十年恐使乾貯桶因風化等作用產生裂縫，易造成輻射外洩，有致癌風險，北北基七百萬人都可能直接受威脅。他坦言核一除役後的核廢料去向現階段仍無解，但一定要採「傷害最小的作法」。
綠色公民行動聯盟副秘書長洪申翰說，如核廢料要保留在核一廠內，台電絕不能採取跟一期一樣的露天式乾貯場，因為四十年恐使乾貯桶因風化等作用產生裂縫，易造成輻射外洩，有致癌風險，北北基七百萬人都可能直接受威脅。他坦言核一除役後的核廢料去向現階段仍無解，但一定要採「傷害最小的作法」。
台電強調是過渡期
核一廠所在新北市石門區山溪里里長許阿煌表示，好不容易等到核一廠除役，但核廢料還放在石門，「居民還是會擔心」，希望台電早點開說明會，「告訴我們里民，到底這些核廢料何時遷走。」
台電核能發言人林德福強調，雖然核一廠內規劃除役後要設高階及低階核廢料貯存場，但都是過渡期，不會等到四十年後才遷移，台電規劃將先興建中期集中式貯存場，仍在選址階段，只要一蓋好，就會遷走除役後的核廢料。他說，台電是國營事業，新政府上台後，會遵照經濟部指示辦理。
台電核能發言人林德福強調，雖然核一廠內規劃除役後要設高階及低階核廢料貯存場，但都是過渡期，不會等到四十年後才遷移，台電規劃將先興建中期集中式貯存場，仍在選址階段，只要一蓋好，就會遷走除役後的核廢料。他說，台電是國營事業，新政府上台後，會遵照經濟部指示辦理。
蓋貯存場須經審查
原能會物料管理局長邱賜聰說，核一廠除役計劃已邀專家學者開過一次審查會，預計明年五月審查完畢，審查重點在除役時程、拆除作業，以及放射性廢棄物的貯存與最終處置規劃等，但台電要在核一廠內再蓋第二期乾式貯存場等設施，須經主管機關完成環評、水保等審查。
清大工程與系統科學系教授葉宗洸指出，國外核電廠除役後產生的核廢料，有的會暫貯廠區內，另設集中式貯存場，有的是先停機，暫不拆廠，直到找到最終貯存場才處理。低階核廢的放射性會隨時間慢慢衰退，但用過燃料棒的高階核廢料處置問題將是一大難題，立院反對台電所提高階核廢料境外再處理的規劃，因此未來核電廠若如期陸續除役，高階核廢何去何從，考驗新政府。
清大工程與系統科學系教授葉宗洸指出，國外核電廠除役後產生的核廢料，有的會暫貯廠區內，另設集中式貯存場，有的是先停機，暫不拆廠，直到找到最終貯存場才處理。低階核廢的放射性會隨時間慢慢衰退，但用過燃料棒的高階核廢料處置問題將是一大難題，立院反對台電所提高階核廢料境外再處理的規劃，因此未來核電廠若如期陸續除役，高階核廢何去何從，考驗新政府。
核一廠小檔案
●地點：新北市石門區，離台北市直線距離約28公里
●佔地：245公頃
●反應爐型：沸水式反應爐
●開始商轉：
1號機：1978年12月6日
2號機：1979年7月15日
●發電量：每部機每年約發電50億度
●建設經費：295億元
資料來源：台電
●佔地：245公頃
●反應爐型：沸水式反應爐
●開始商轉：
1號機：1978年12月6日
2號機：1979年7月15日
●發電量：每部機每年約發電50億度
●建設經費：295億元
資料來源：台電
核一廠除役規劃
●除役時間：2018年12月5日起，預計25年完成
●除役時程：
．前8年：廠區除污作業
．第9年∼第20年（共12年）：實質拆廠階段
．第21年∼第23年（共3年）：廠址最終狀態偵測階段，以確認廠址的輻射劑量是否符合法規相關規定
．最後2年：廠址復原，包括執行覆土作業等，以達地面平整
●廠內新建工程：
．第二期高階核廢料乾式貯存場，貯放5720束用過的燃料棒
．低放射性廢棄物貯存庫，貯放約6萬1791桶低階核廢料
●除役經費：估182億元，核能後端基金提撥
資料來源：台電、原能會
●除役時程：
．前8年：廠區除污作業
．第9年∼第20年（共12年）：實質拆廠階段
．第21年∼第23年（共3年）：廠址最終狀態偵測階段，以確認廠址的輻射劑量是否符合法規相關規定
．最後2年：廠址復原，包括執行覆土作業等，以達地面平整
●廠內新建工程：
．第二期高階核廢料乾式貯存場，貯放5720束用過的燃料棒
．低放射性廢棄物貯存庫，貯放約6萬1791桶低階核廢料
●除役經費：估182億元，核能後端基金提撥
資料來源：台電、原能會
公視中晝：橡膠製品含MBT 長期接觸恐致癌； 燒烤油脂滴到高溫木炭 PM2 5飆百倍
PNN 公視新聞網
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0mhvGBwa4U
炭火燒烤，肉片散發陣陣香氣，台灣不少民眾喜歡到燒烤店聚餐，可能不知不覺就將自己暴露在危險之中，根據台灣大學最新研究發現，民眾在吃燒烤時如果不小心把烤肉油脂滴到高溫木炭上，所排放出來的PM2.5與PM10懸浮微粒將暴增10到100倍。
燒烤油脂滴到高溫木炭 PM2 5飆百倍 20160229 公視中晝
更多新聞與互動請上： 公視新聞網 ( http://news.pts.org.tw ) PNN公視新聞議題中心 ( http://pnn.pts.org.tw/ ) PNN 粉絲專頁 ( http://ww…
YOUTUBE.COM
*****
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv4-VEfQtfA
界衛生組織專家研究發現，市售的橡膠製品中、都含有一種「2-巰(音"流")基苯」、簡稱MBT的致癌物，像是橡膠奶嘴、保險套、輪胎等等都含有這種化學物質。
有些剛出生的小BABY，需要靠安撫奶嘴才睡得比較安穩，不過世界衛生組織專家研究發現，市售橡膠製品中、例如橡膠奶嘴、保險套、輪胎等等，都含有一種「2-巰基苯」、簡稱MBT的致癌物，若長期大量暴露或接觸，恐怕有致癌風險。
界衛生組織專家研究發現，市售的橡膠製品中、都含有一種「2-巰(音"流")基苯」、簡稱MBT的致癌物，像是橡膠奶嘴、保險套、輪胎等等都含有這種化學物質。
有些剛出生的小BABY，需要靠安撫奶嘴才睡得比較安穩，不過世界衛生組織專家研究發現，市售橡膠製品中、例如橡膠奶嘴、保險套、輪胎等等，都含有一種「2-巰基苯」、簡稱MBT的致癌物，若長期大量暴露或接觸，恐怕有致癌風險。
2016年2月24日 星期三
大藥廠的貪婪造成世界數百萬人死於非命、副作用的惡性循環
EXCLUSIVE: How Big Pharma greed is killing tens of thousands around the world: Patients are over-medicated and often given profitable drugs with 'little proven benefits,' leading doctors warn
Queen's former doctor, Sir Richard Thompson, has backed new campaign
Experts calling for urgent public enquiry into drugs firms' 'murky' practices
They say too much medicine is doing more harm than good worldwide
And claim many drugs such as statins are less effective than thought
By ANNA HODGEKISS FOR MAILONLINE and BEN SPENCER MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:00 GMT, 23 February 2016 | UPDATED: 11:54 GMT, 24 February 2016
The Queen's former doctor has called for an urgent public enquiry into drugs firms’ ‘murky’ practices.
Sir Richard Thompson, former-president of the Royal College of Physicians and personal doctor to the Queen for 21 years, warned tonight that many medicines are less effective than thought.
The physician is one of a group of six eminent doctors who today warn about the influence of pharmaceutical companies on drugs prescribing.
The experts, led by NHS cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra, claim that too often patients are given useless – and sometimes harmful – drugs that they do not need.
They maintain drugs companies are developing medicines they can profit from, rather than those which are likely to be the most beneficial.
And they accuse the NHS of failing to stand up to the pharmaceutical giants.
+9
Too much medicine is doing more harm than good - and costing hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide, leading experts have warned. They maintain drugs companies are developing medicines they can profit from, rather than those which are likely to be the most beneficial
Sir Richard said: ‘The time has come for a full and open public enquiry into the way evidence of the efficacy of drugs is obtained and revealed.
'There is real danger that some current drug treatments are much less effective than had previously been thought.’
He said the campaign highlights the ‘often weak and sometimes murky basis on which the efficacy and use of drugs, particularly in the elderly, are judged’.
Writing for MailOnline, Dr Malhotra says commercial conflicts of interest are contributing to an ‘epidemic of misinformed doctors and misinformed patients in the UK and beyond’.
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Furthermore, he adds the NHS is ‘over-treating’ its patients, and claimed that the side effects of too much medicine is leading to countless deaths.
And he claims the full trial data on statins – cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to millions - has never been published, and also points to questions about the power of Tamiflu, a drug that has cost the NHS nearly £500 million.
The group has called on Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to conduct an independent enquiry into the safety of medicines.
They claim public funding is often allocated to medical research because it is likely to be profitable, not because it will be beneficial for patients.
+9
+9
Sir Richard Thompson, former-president of the Royal College of Physicians and personal doctor to the Queen for 21 years (left), warned tonight that many medicines are less effective than thought. He is one of a group of six eminent doctors, led by NHS cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra (right), who are concerned about the influence of pharmaceutical companies on drugs prescribing
Dr Malhotra said: ‘There is no doubt that a “more medicine is better” culture lies at the heart of healthcare, exacerbated by financial incentives within the system to prescribe more drugs and carry out more procedures.
‘But there’s a more sinister barrier to making progress to raise awareness of - and thus tackle - such issues that we should be most concerned about.
There is no doubt that a “more medicine is better” culture lies at the heart of healthcare, exacerbated by financial incentives within the system to prescribe more drugs and carry out more procedures
Dr Aseem Malhotra
‘And that’s the information that is being provided to doctors and patients to guide treatment decisions.’
He accused drugs companies of ‘gaming the system’ by spending twice as much on marketing than on research.
Dr Malhotra says that prescription drugs often do more harm than good, with the elderly particularly at risk.
One in three hospital admissions among the over-75s a result of an adverse drug reaction, he claims.
In addition to Sir Richard, Dr Malhotra is backed by Professor John Ashton, president of the Faculty of Public Health; psychiatrist Dr JS Bamrah, chairman of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; cardiologist Professor Rita Redberg, editor of medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine; and Professor James McCormack, a pharmaceutical scientist.
Dr Malhotra, who is launching the campaign in a personal capacity, is a trustee of the King's Fund health think tank, a member of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and advisor to the National Obesity Forum.
He is particularly critical of the dramatic recent increase of the prescribing of statins.
+9
Dr Malhotra also points to questions about the efficacy of Tamiflu – a flu drug the NHS spent £473m stockpiling. A 2014 report by a panel of eminent experts concluded it was no more effective than paracetamol
THE INDUSTRY'S RESPONSE
A spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said: ‘All medicines undergo rigorous testing for quality, safety and efficacy by global regulators.
‘The data is also subject to continuous scrutiny during trials, once licensed and throughout the life of the medicine, including after a patent has expired.’
The spokesman added: ‘The assessment of a medicine – the benefits and risks it brings to patients as well as the value it provides to healthcare – is an ongoing process.
‘Innovating companies discover and develop new uses for these medicines over the life of these products, and regulators and health technology assessors continue to update their assessments based on new information.
‘None of these procedures are “weak” or “murky” but by and large published for public scrutiny.’
‘However, we recognise that the discussion on the evaluation of medicines is timely, and we were pleased to contribute together with many other stakeholders to the “Evaluating Evidence” policy programme of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
‘This dialogue is critical to achieve a shared constructive and progressive framework for the assessment of medicines.'
A spokesman for NHS England last night declined to comment on the allegations.
NICE – the NHS drugs rationing watchdog – lowered the threshold for prescribing statins in 2014 to encourage GPs to prescribe the drugs to more people.
But it later emerged that six of the 12-strong panel received funding from drugs manufacturers - either by being paid directly to give speeches or 'advice', or through funding for research.
Dr Malhotra claims that the full data on the power of statins and their side effects have never been published.
He also points to questions about the efficacy of Tamiflu – a flu drug that the NHS spent £473million stockpiling.
A 2014 report by a panel of eminent scientists concluded that Tamiflu was no more effective than paracetamol.
Dr Malhotra also cites an investigation by the BMJ medical journal, which earlier this month suggested that major blood thinning drug Rivaroxaban is not as safe as its trial data suggests, although the regulator stands by the drug.
He writes: ‘For the sake of our future health and the sustainability of the NHS it’s time for real collective action against “too much medicine”, starting with the Public Accounts Committee launching a full independent inquiry into the efficacy and safety of medicines.’
Professor Ashton added: 'Public health relies on a comprehensive, accurate and cost effective evidence base to ensure we make decisions based on the best available research that improve and protect people’s health, as well as prioritise care in the best way for patients.’
MAILONLINE EXCLUSIVE: DR MALHOTRA'S COMMENTS IN FULL...
There is no doubt that a 'more medicine is better' culture lies at the heart of modern healthcare.
This is exacerbated by financial incentives within the system to prescribe more drugs and carry out more procedures - regardless of whether it benefits patients, it seems.
But there's a more sinister barrier to making progress that we should be most concerned about.
And that's the information being provided to doctors and patients to guide treatment decisions.
Several weeks ago I was a speaker the annual British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin medical conference in Birmingham.
Other speakers included the chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the chair of the BMA and the chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens.
In my speech, I warned of several things that deeply concern me about the state of medicine today.
In short, these are:
* Biased funding of research - funded because it is likely to be profitable, not beneficial for patients
* Biased reporting in medical journals
* Commercial conflicts of interests and an inability of doctors and patients to understand health statistics and risk
+9
Over-medication is 'causing unnecessary suffering of millions and costing billions to our national economies'
All of the above are contributing to an epidemic of misinformed doctors and misinformed patients in the UK and beyond.
But most concerning of all, this desperate situation is costing tens of thousands of lives around the world.
And not only that, it is causing unnecessary suffering of millions and costing billions to our national economies.
A few months ago, the medical director of NHS England, Sir Bruce Keogh, admitted that one in seven NHS treatments - including operations - are unnecessary and should not have been carried out on patients.
And in the US, it is estimated that one third of all healthcare activity brings no benefit to patients.
This is further backed up by a point made by former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr Marcia Angell.
In a talk given at the University of Montana, in 2009, she revealed that of the 667 new drugs approved by the FDA between 2000 and 2007, only 11 per cent were were considered to be innovative or improvements on existing medications.
And three quarters were essentially just copies of old ones.
LINING THE POCKET OF BIG PHARMA
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Previous research has linked psychiatric drugs to thousands of deaths due to suicides and drowsiness
Given the fact that drug companies' primary responsibility is to provide profit for shareholders - rather than patient health - this is far from surprising.
But apart from the colossal financial wastage that results from companies having go at flogging a drug twice - and therefore spending twice as much marketing drugs than they do on research and development - it's the considerable harm to patients and the public that should concern us the most.
The Food and Drug Administration reports that adverse events from prescribed medications have more than tripled in the past decade in the United States.
This has resulted in more than 123,000 deaths in 2014 and 800,000 total serious patient outcomes - including hospitalisations and life threatening disability.
But this is likely to represent a gross underestimate.
One person who has long been outspoken on the dangers of modern medication is Peter Gotzsche, professor of research design and analysis at the University of Copenhagen.
He estimates prescription drugs are the third most common cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
In particular, he is deeply concerned about the impact of psychiatric drugs including antidepressants and dementia drugs.
Writing in the BMJ, he calculated they are responsible for more than half a million deaths in those aged over 65 in the US and European union.
This is due to suicides but also because patients are over-medicated and drowsy.
In fact, it is the elderly who are most at risk of so-called polypharmacy - where a patient is taking multiple drugs.
THE PATIENTS RATTLING WITH PILLS
The problem with polypharmacy is that the more drugs you take, the more likely you are to experience side-effects that are then misinterpreted by a doctor or nurse as a symptom of disease that needs treating with additional medicine.
I have lost count of the number of over-medicated elderly patients I have treated, with sometimes three or four blood pressure medications making them dizzy and fall over.
It's a vicious cycle and one that costs lives each year.
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to polypharmacy with one in three hospital admissions in the over 75s the result of an adverse drug reaction.
Many of these patients will fall and suffer a hip fracture because of medication side effects and a quarter of these will die as a result.
But what is most disturbing is that Professor Gotzsche claims much of the behaviour of the pharmaceutical industry that drives this over-prescription fulfils the criteria for 'organised crime' under US law.
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'I have lost count of the number of over-medicated elderly patients I have treated, with sometimes three or four blood pressure medications making them dizzy and fall over,' Dr Malhotra told MailOnline
Between 2007 and 2012 the majority of the largest ten pharmaceutical companies all paid considerable fines for various misdemeanours that included marketing drugs for off-label uses, misrepresentation of research results, and hiding data on harm.
But whether such fines act as deterrent is debatable when profit is the primary motivator.
In 2012 GSK landed a $3 billion fine - the largest healthcare fraud settlement in US history - for illegally marketing several drugs including an anti-depressant, a diabetes drug and one for epilepsy.
But in the period covered by the settlement, it posted profits of more than $25 billion in the sales of these drugs.
Medical journals and the media can also be manipulated to serve not only as marketing vehicles for the industry but be complicit in silencing those who call for greater transparency and more independent scrutiny of scientific data.
Take a paper published by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) last June.
WE DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT STATINS
This claimed that a programme that aired in 2013 - which questioned the benefits of prescribing statins to those at low risk of heart disease - may have resulted in up to 2,900 people suffering a heart attack or death from stopping their medication.
The problem with polypharmacy is that the more drugs you take, the more likely you are to experience side-effects that are then misinterpreted by a doctor or nurse as a symptom of disease that needs treating with additional medicine
I was asked to go on ABC News Australia to discuss this but unfortunately just 30 minutes before my interview was cancelled.
Had I had the opportunity, I would have given my view - that the paper provided no robust evidence of increasing hospital admissions or recorded deaths to support such claims.
On the contrary, the Catalyst documentary under scrutiny is one of the most brilliant pieces of medical journalism I have seen in recent times.
A view shared by the vice president of the faculty of public health Professor Simon Capewell, who described it as 'informative, transparent, and raised legitimate concerns',
As he and I point out in an editorial published two weeks ago in medical journal BMC Medicine, community based studies reveal that almost 75 per cent of new users will stop taking their statin within a year of prescription with 62 per cent citing side effects as a reason.
In fact, the emerging evidence suggests at best, the benefits of statins have been grossly exaggerated and side effects underplayed.
In recent weeks, two separate research groups in Japan and France have, independently of each other, questioned the reliability of many of the earlier industry sponsored studies that show the benefit of statins.
In fact the Japanese research went as far to even suggests that statins may be a cause of the increasing population burden of heart failure.
British Heart Foundation on the pros and cons of statins
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Dr Malhotra claims emerging evidence suggests the benefits of statins have been grossly exaggerated and side effects underplayed
Meanwhile the reputed French cardiologist Dr Michel De Lorgeril has claimed all studies published after 2006 reveal 'no benefit' of statins for cardiovascular prevention in all groups of patients.
I fully support his calls for a full reassessment of all the statin studies and until then 'physicians should be aware that the present claims about the efficacy and safety of statins is not evidence based.'
Furthermore we must demand that the Clinical Trial Service Unit at Oxford University releases the raw data on statins for independent scrutiny.
It is these industry- sponsored studies that have resulted in the prescription of statins to millions worldwide, driving a multi-billion industry.
THE DRUGS THAT DON'T LIVE UP TO THE HYPE
But back to the wider the picture.
It has been just over 10 years since John Ioannidis, professor of medicine and health policy at Stanford University, published a landmark paper explaining why most published medical research is likely to be false.
But it's not just about studies being poorly designed or stats being manipulated.
He went as far to claim 'the greater the financial interests in a given field, the less likely the research findings are to be true'.
Unfortunately, there are multiple recent examples exposing that our so-called guardians and regulators, NICE and the MHRA, are not only ill-equipped to deal with these issues.
Now, when a patient comes to see me with any new symptom my first thought is could this be a medication side effect?
Or, as the immediate past president of the Royal College of Physicians Sir Richard Thompson told me ' are "part of the problem rather than the solution".'
NICE was called out when several leading doctors, including Sir Richard, wrote to the Secretary of State for health raising major concerns over the impartiality of the guideline development group on statins with 8 of its 12 members declaring financial ties to companies manufacturing statins and related drugs.
And in April 2014 independent scientists of the Cochrane Collaboration - considered the gold standard body of independent scientists - concluded that Britain wasted more than £500 million on the influenza drug Tamiflu.
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Many clinical trials have provided flawed data, argues Dr Malhotra, and patients have been incorrectly medicated accordingly
After gaining access to withheld clinical trials data, the body found Tamiflu was no better that paracetamol in relieving flu symptoms and had potentially serious side effects including kidney problems and psychiatric disturbance.
Nice was criticised for failing to call for the full data to be released by the pharmaceutical company manufacturing the drug before giving its hasty approval.
At the time, however, manufacturer Roche said it stood behind the wealth of data for Tamiflu.
Meanwhile an investigation by the BMJ revealed that the blood clotting test device used in a trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine was faulty giving falsely low blood thinning readings in the comparator drug warfarin.
Thus 'casting doubt onto outcomes used to support the use of the World's best-selling new oral anti-coagulant' Rivoroxaban, the journal said.
Of course NICE wouldn't have known about the faulty device but one has to question their judgement on recommending the use of the drug based upon one pharmaceutical company funded trial where there are now calls for the paper to be retracted.
WHY WE NEED A PUBLIC ENQUIRY
New study: Paracetamol ineffective for back pain (related)
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The fact that prescriptions are at an all time high with more than 1 billion handed out every year - the figure has doubled in the past decade - should be regarded as a public health crisis in itself.
Now, when a patient comes to see me with any new symptom my first thought is could this be a medication side effect?
The system is broken and cannot be fixed by just pouring in more money
Corporate greed and systematic political failure has brought the NHS to its knees.
Without full transparency and accountability no doctor can provide what we slogged through medical school and devote our heart and souls to - providing the best quality care for our patients.
Last week, responding to a series of recent scandals - including failure of institutions and universities in the UK to tackle research misconduct - former editor of the BMJ, Richard Smith, wrote: 'something is rotten in the state of British Medicine and has been for a long time'.
For the sake of our future health and the sustainability of the NHS it's time for real collective action against 'too much medicine'.
This can start with the public accounts committee launching a full independent inquiry into the efficacy and safety of medicines.
I believe it is an underlying scandal that may likely to dwarf that of the Mid Staffordshire NHS scandal - where scores of patients died due to poor care, a public enquiry concluded.
Medical science has taken a turn towards darkness.
And sunlight will be its only disinfectant.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3460321/How-Big-Pharma-greed-killing-tens-thousands-world-Patients-medicated-given-profitable-drugs-little-proven-benefits-leading-doctors-warn.html#ixzz419jj5Sow
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statin
(stăt'n)
n.
Any of a class of lipid-lowering drugs that reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.
[From the names of such lipid-lowering drugs as (PRAVA)STATIN.]
羥甲基戊二酸單醯輔酶A還原酶抑制劑（英語：HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors 或 Statins，簡稱「HMG-CoA還原酶抑制劑」或「他汀類藥物」）是一類抗高血脂藥。
爭議
Statins are a class of drugs often prescribed by doctors to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. By lowering the levels, they help prevent heart attacks and stroke. Studies show that, in certain people, statinsreduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death from heart disease by about 25% to 35%.
ｖ．
Dr Malhotra claims emerging evidence suggests the benefits of statins have been grossly exaggerated and side effects underplayed
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3460321/How-Big-Pharma-greed-killing-tens-thousands-world-Patients-medicated-given-profitable-drugs-little-proven-benefits-leading-doctors-warn.html#ixzz419iIBSHh
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As Indonesians Go to Mecca, Many Eyes Follow Their Money
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
About 1.2 million Indonesians are on a government waiting list to go to Mecca, and according to anti-corruption groups, officials and politicians misuse deposits paid by those on the list.
statin
(stăt'n)
n.
Any of a class of lipid-lowering drugs that reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.
[From the names of such lipid-lowering drugs as (PRAVA)STATIN.]
Boston Crowded With 'Snow Farms'
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
In Boston, plows are depositing excess at six "snow farms" - otherwise known as vacant lots - around the city.
REALLY?
The Claim: Symptoms of Heart Disease Can Show Up in the Eyes
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Studies have shown that higher levels of lipids in the blood can cause some people to develop raised, yellow patches of skin around the eyelids.
lipid, lipide[li・pid, li・pide]
発音記号[lípid, lípaid]
[名]《生化学》脂質.
lipid
(lĭp'ĭd, lī'pĭd)
also lipide (lĭp'īd', lī'pīd')n.脂〔質〕Any of a group of organic compounds, including the fats, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides, that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents, are oily to the touch, and together with carbohydrates and proteins constitute the principal structural material of living cells.
[French lipide : Greek lipos, fat; see lipo– + French -ide, -ide.]
例
The potential market for prevention and treatment is enormous, and drug companies are eager to exploit it. If a drug could prevent Alzheimer’s or just reduce the risk, as statins like Lipitor do for heart disease, half the population over 55 would probably need to take it, Dr. Thies said.
《泰晤士報》：中國食品業濫用抗生素導致兒童肥胖
英媒：中國食品業濫用抗生素導致兒童肥胖
《泰晤士報》周三（24日）內頁的一篇文章說，中國食品行業使用抗生素的現象非常普遍， 導致80%學童的身體中都被檢測中抗生素。
文章說，那些體內含動物抗生素高的兒童比含動物抗生素低的兒童長胖的機率大兩、三倍。尤其是男孩子的情況要比女孩嚴重。
這一實驗是由上海復旦大學公共衛生學院的研究人員調查得出的。
其中，一些用於畜牧業牲畜養殖所使用的抗生素，可以在三分之一的學童身體中檢測得到。這些孩子年齡在8到11歲之間。
無能為力， 無處可逃
Getty
該研究小組說，他們計劃開展更多的研究，以鑒定出給動物使用抗生物為兒童健康帶來的其它影響。
文章說，中國已經是生產和使用抗生素的最多的國家，佔全世界抗生素消費量的一半。
而科研人員已經發現動物和人體中的一種基因所製造出的一種細菌，能抵抗世界最強的抗生素。這就意味著，將來一旦遭遇感染有可能無藥可治。
中國的養豬業和養雞業當中使用抗生素的情況更是十分嚴重。
根據中國科學院去年對中國東部和中部的河流的測試，河水中具有高含量的抗生素。
文章還引述了許多中國父母在微博上的留言，他們非常擔心自己孩子的健康，但又覺得無能為力， 無處可逃。
北捷新店線爆海砂公安危機 公館站氯離子超標14倍
【壹週刊】北捷新店線爆海砂公安危機 公館站氯離子超標14倍
2016年02月25日南台大地震再度引起民眾對建築安全的警覺。台北捷運公館站共構宅「戀戀台大」去年中開始，地下室梁柱突然出現嚴重龜裂，甚至發生牆面剝落、鋼筋鏽蝕。住戶委託結構技師鑑定，報告最近出爐。
2016年2月21日 星期日
The silent killer in your home: Scented candles and air fresheners 'are adding to pollution that kills 40,000 people a year in UK'
The silent killer in your home: Scented candles and air fresheners 'are adding to pollution that kills 40,000 people a year in UK'
- Danger of pollution in the street from car fumes is well understood
- But many people are ignorant of the risks from air inside the home
- Insulating homes is playing part in trapping potentially toxic cloud
- Raised levels of 'Volatile Organic Compounds' to give lemon smell
Lives are being put at risk from air pollution inside homes caused by everything from boiler fumes to air fresheners and scented candles, it has been claimed.
The warning comes from a joint study by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to be published this week.
The danger of pollution in the street from car fumes is well understood, but many people are ignorant of the risks from air inside the home.
Potential dangers: Research in York found raised levels of a Volatile Organic Compound called limonene, which is used heavily in air fresheners (left) and scented candles (right), to give a lemon citrus smell
The drive to cut energy bills by insulating properties - keeping out drafts and installing windows that do not open - is playing a part in trapping a potentially toxic cloud of air.
The report, Every Breath We Take, warns that at least 40,000 deaths a year in the UK can be linked to the effect of air pollution outside and inside the home.
According to the report ‘indoor air pollution may have caused or contributed to 99,000 deaths annually in Europe’.
It suggests that everyday kitchen products, faulty boilers, open fires, fly sprays, air fresheners, deodorants, DIY and cleaning products contribute to poor indoor air quality.
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Household sprays often use chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which start off as solids or liquids but readily evaporate into the air.
Recent research in York found raised levels of a VOC called limonene, which is used heavily in air fresheners and scented candles, to give a lemon citrus smell.
It is dangerous to inhale on its own and can become formaldehyde - a carcinogen that burns the eyes, irritates the skin, and incites coughing fits, nausea, as well as nose and throat cancers - when it mixes with other airborne elements.
At the same time, certain furniture, fabric, furnishings, glue and insulation can emit formaldehyde vapour, causing irritation to the lungs.
Report: The Royal College of Physicians (above, in London) wants local authorities to be given the power to close or divert roads to reduce the volume of traffic, especially near schools, when pollution levels are high
Biological materials found in the home, such as house-dust mites, mould and animal dander – flecks of skin and fur - can also harm human health.
The report warns that while young children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to air pollution, it can have an adverse impact on all age groups.
It states: ‘Examples include the adverse effects of air pollution on the development of the foetus, including lung and kidney development, and miscarriage; increases in heart attacks and strokes for those in later life; and the associated links to asthma, diabetes, dementia, obesity and cancer for the wider population.’
When our patients are exposed to such a clear and avoidable cause of death, illness and disability, it our duty to speak out
Professor Stephen Holgate
The report demands more is done to crack down on polluters and protect the public from harmful emissions, particularly in urban areas and close to schools.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) wants local authorities to be given the power to close or divert roads to reduce the volume of traffic, especially near schools, when pollution levels are high.
It also wants tougher legislation to force polluters to reduce their harmful emissions.
Professor Stephen Holgate, chairman of the report’s working party, said: ‘We now know that air pollution has a substantial impact on many chronic long term conditions, increasing strokes and heart attacks in susceptible individuals. We know that air pollution adversely effects the development of the foetus, including lung development.
‘And now there is compelling evidence that air pollution is associated with new onset asthma in children and adults. When our patients are exposed to such a clear and avoidable cause of death, illness and disability, it our duty to speak out.’
Dr Andrew Goddard, the RCP lead for the report, said: ‘Taking action to tackle air pollution in the UK will reduce the pain and suffering for many people with long term chronic health conditions, not to mention lessening the long term demands on our NHS.’
Professor Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and the vice chair of the working party, called on the Government to monitor exposure to air pollution more effectively in order to help identify those children and young people who are most at risk.
There is clear evidence to suggest that long term exposure to air pollution has a wide range of adverse effects in childhood
Professor Jonathan Grigg
He said: ‘There is clear evidence to suggest that long term exposure to air pollution has a wide range of adverse effects in childhood, and exposure during early life can lead to the development of serious conditions such as asthma.’
Research for tonight’s Channel 4’s Dispatches programme claims that the general public breathes in far more pollution than official figures suggest.
It will highlight research showing that as well as causing tens of thousands of early deaths through heart attacks and strokes, pollution may damage children’s learning ability.
Professor Jordi Sunyer, of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, in Barcelona, found that children who went to schools in areas of higher pollution scored lower in memory and thinking tests.
His team studied 3,000 children between the ages of 7-9 across 40 schools.
They found that children in areas of high pollution took longer in solving problems and made more mistakes. Researchers also observed that on days of high pollution children’s performance was worse, regardless of the type of the school.
'Dispatches - Dirty Secrets: What’s Really in our Air?’ is on Channel 4 tonight at 8pm
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3457368/Air-fresheners-scented-candles-blame-pollution-home-kills-40-000-year.html#ixzz40sGrTGMx
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