Friends of Science in Medicine
Don’t believe what you think
by Edzard Ernst
(UK, Imprint Academic, published 2020, Edition 1, 261 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1788360081)
It would be a rare individual who could claim they have never held an irrational belief. When it comes to ‘So-Called Alternative Medicine’ (SCAM), we live in a world … [Read more...]
Complementary medicines – Exporting ‘White Australia Policy’: If a medicine is not permitted by Australian authorities, what business do Australian authorities have manufacturing and selling these products overseas? Our FSM President, Associate Professor Ken Harvey, weighs in.
Following a Channel 9 story on alt-health products that fail safety standards, Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has hit back. They called the story “false and malicious” and “evil-intentioned”. In social media, CMA has been crowing that FSM fell for “fake news”. … [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...]
Health professionals and complementary therapies: what can consumers reasonably expect? “Individuals are at risk of spending money they cannot afford, on useless goods and services, and perhaps delaying efficacious therapy or at worst not receiving needed therapy at all. The cost … [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...]
Forum calls for greater protection on claims from complementary medicines: “Imagine that you have been having sleeping problems, and so you head to your local chemist in the hopes of some quick relief. You see a few options, but one stands … [Read more...]
Regulating fringe practitioners: “The end result of licensing practitioners who are not science-based is that fraud and pseudoscience now has the imprimatur of legitimate medicine, the public is largely confused about the true status of these practitioners, and the regulatory … [Read more...]
Talking to friends and family who share dodgy stories and health claims on social media: Best to fact-check yourself before you wreck yourself.
How should we handle complementary and alternative medicine? “[…] according to the World Health Organisation nearly 100 million Europeans use … [Read more...]