Friends of Science in Medicine
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...]
Pulling back the curtain on ‘The Doctors’ and ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ – What our analysis revealed: Medical talk shows, people love them. But how credible are they? Answer: not very. Most the advice dispensed has no scientific basis and a lot of … [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...]
On 7 April 2019, the Minister for Health announced an updated review of natural therapies.[i] The review will be led by the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Brendan Murphy, and be supported by the Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel (NTREAP). NTREAP … [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...]
Food labelling: When is a medicine not a medicine? “Complementary medicines listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are generally assessed for quality and safety, but not efficacy. Restrictions also apply when advertising … [Read more...]
Natural cold and flu busters unlikely to do the trick but could do harm: Turmeric, another popular supplement – “it’s in bloody tea and coffee now,” says Professor Moses – is also a blood thinner. High doses of turmeric combined with … [Read more...]
Chronic Lyme disease: Fake diagnosis, not fake disease. The term “fake diagnosis” or “quack diagnosis”, however, directs the charge of fakery right where it belongs, at the quacks making the bogus diagnosis. The symptoms these patients experience are real. … [Read more...]
Where food meets medicine – reform needed: “…the regulation of health claims for foods and therapeutic goods is inconsistent; complaint systems are inadequate, no effective penalties are applied for documented breaches of the law, and questionable (and potentially dangerous products) are … [Read more...]