Friends of Science in Medicine
Watch what you’re saying: “A statement from AHPRA issued on the Pharmacy Board website said: ‘While the vast majority of health practitioners are responding professionally to the COVID-19 emergency and focusing on providing safe care, AHPRA and National Boards are seeing … [Read more...]
Can a few zaps a day keep the pain away? It seems like a great idea, but the evidence base for transcutaneous electric neuronal stimulation (TENS) for relief of chronic pain is severely lacking. Complaints made to the TGA that these … [Read more...]
Acupuncture doesn’t work: The stronger evidence shows that acupuncture can only have a placebo effect. It doesn’t matter where the needles are placed, or whether they penetrate the skin.
From the vault: Newborn vitamin K shots save baby lives: Newborn … [Read more...]
Expert reaction to study looking at paracetamol in pregnancy and autism, ADHD and other developmental disabilities in children: Another lesson dealing with research and media reporting. There is a growing body of work that taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy leads to development of ADHD … [Read more...]
Acupuncture a ‘realistic option’ vs HRT for hot flushes (or is it?): Comment from Prof Alastair MacLennan about the linked article. He says, “Menopause and its common symptom, hot flushes, is often targeted by alternative therapists with a variety of … [Read more...]
Health professionals and complementary therapies: what can consumers reasonably expect? The Medical Board of Australia is developing guidelines for the use of complementary therapies by health practitioners. Under standard guidelines, recommending complementary therapies might constitute unprofessional conduct, as these therapies … [Read more...]
Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel (NTREAP) 2019-20: On 7 April 2019, the Minister for Health announced an updated review of natural therapies… Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM) has nominated our President, Assoc Prof Ken Harvey, for membership of … [Read more...]
Reform Calls: Private health insurance at the crossroads: There is a plethora of data from other countries supporting primary care strategies that reduce hospital admissions for medical problems. The $11 billion of support for PHI should be steadily diverted to pay … [Read more...]
Belief in homeopathy results in the death of a 7-year-old Italian child: “Rather than seeking care from the family paediatrician, they had him evaluated by a local homeopath”.
Vaccines, public trust and learning from my hate mail: “But within all … [Read more...]