• 21 May 2007
  • Sicko Premieres at Cannes Film Festival
  • Michael Moore’s attack on the U.S. health care system premiered early Saturday morning in the main theatre at the Cannes Film Festival before a packed theatre of more than 2,000 film goers and critics from around the world. By Sunday, early reviews of “Sicko” had appeared on international news wires and in the online editions of The Wall Street Journal, Variety, The Times (London), Sky News, Reuters, Fox and others. The Associated Press ran stories both Saturday and Sunday. Significant additional coverage is anticipated when the film opens in the United States on June 29th.
  • Initial critical reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with the press calling the film “brilliant” and labeling Moore’s return to Cannes “triumphant,” just three years after his “Fahrenheit 9/11” won the festival’s top prize, the Palme d’Or.
  • Pharmaceutical companies are among the villains in Moore’s film, but managed care providers and private insurance companies are the primary targets. The film attacks the “profit-driven US healthcare system” which Moore argues puts the financial health of drug and insurance companies above the welfare of patient. He paints a rosy picture of healthcare systems in Canada, France and Britain.
  • We will continue monitoring to determine which, if any, pharmaceutical companies are singled out in the film.
  • Stephen Schaefer of the Boston Herald told The AP that he thought the film might do even better at the box office than the President Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," which took $122 million in the United States. "This could do even more," he said. "This is an issue that impacts more people. It's a huge issue."
  • The film, less rabble rousing than Moore’s previous work, allows ordinary Americans to tell their stories of being refused treatment. Moore fills the film with stories like that of a woman whose ambulance ride after a car crash wasn't covered — because it wasn't "pre-approved." Donna Smith, a Denver woman featured in the opening of the film, was in tears in telling her story. Plagued with health problems, she and her husband were forced to sell their home and move into the storage room of their daughter's house because they couldn't cope with health costs, even though they were insured. "Health care is an embarrassment to our nation," Donna told Moore.
  • Moore took a group of ailing Americans, including some rescue workers from 9-11, to Cuba for treatment under their free universal health system. The trip has landed Moore in hot water with the U.S. government, which is investigating him for violating the nation’s trade and travel embargo that bans travel to Havana. Moore showed the Americans receiving quality care and days of free tests from Cuban doctors. It shows one patient finding pills in a drugstore for pennies that cost more than $100 at home.
  • Moore told reporters his film is “a call to action,” and says he expects a backlash from insurance and pharmaceutical companies. What follows are excerpts from first coverage:
  • The Wall Street Journal, May 20, Anthony Kaufman
  • "SiCKO," however, does not focus on the uninsured, but the vast number of Americans who have health-care coverage, and their personal stories of frustration with the system. A teary-eyed mother recalls the story of her daughter's death when being transferred from one hospital to another owned by Kaiser Permanente. Another woman blames the U.S. system for the demise of her husband, who was denied a bone marrow transplant. After the screening, several hard-nosed U.S. critics and journalists admitted to crying during the film.
  • Variety, May 20, Alissa Simon
  • ...an affecting and entertaining dissection of the American health care industry, showing how it benefits the few at the expense of the many. Pic's tone alternates between comedy, poignancy and outrage as it compares the U.S system of care to other countries. Given Moore's celebrity and fan base, plus heightened awareness of pic resulting from the heated battle that's already begun between left and right, returns look to be extremely healthy.
  • Chief criticism of the pic is that it paints too rosy a picture of the national health care of the countries he compares America to, including Canada, England, France — and Cuba.
  • Employing his trademark personal narration and David vs. Goliath approach, Moore enlivens what is, in essence, a depressing subject by wrapping it in irony and injecting levity wherever possible: a graph shows America's position in global health care as No. 38 — just above Slovenia — and is followed by film footage of primitive operating conditions; and he offers a long list of health conditions that can deny a person insurance coverage, with the list scrolling into deep space accompanied by the "Stars Wars" theme. Pic explores why American health care came to be exploited for profit in the private sector rather than being a government-paid, free-to-consumers service as are education, libraries, fire and police.
  • Agence France-Presse, May 20, Marc Burleigh
  • Michael Moore unveiled his latest attack on America's shortcomings at Cannes on Saturday with "Sicko", a scathing documentary that exposes the dark side of the US health system and its powerful insurance lobby. …Stephen Schaefer, a US critic for the Boston Globe newspaper, said that while the facts "Sicko" lays out "make me sad as an American,(Sicko is) a very strong and very honest documentary about a health system that's totally corrupt and that is without any care for its patients."
  • HuffingtonPost.com, May 20, Rose Ann DeMoro blog from Cannes
  • "Sicko" is not just an indictment of an indefensible healthcare industry in the U.S. It's a rejoinder for those who think we can fix the soulless monster by tinkering with an unconscionable system that puts us further in thrall to those who created the crisis. Following the screening, Moore put it as simply as possible: the private insurance companies "have to go." Unlike too many of our friends in the progressive community, Moore did not go for the easy way out. There are no calls here for forcing individuals to buy unaffordable, junk insurance. Or handing over ever more tax dollars to those who profit by denying care, and whose biggest accomplishment, says Moore, "is buying our U.S. Congress" to protect their wealth and stranglehold over our health.
  • Reuters Online, May 20, Kirk Honeycutt
  • "Sicko" posits an uncontroversial, if not incontrovertible, proposition: The health care system in the U.S. is sick. Even a right-wing Republican, when denied care by his HMO or stuck with an astronomical bill, is going to agree. Disagreement might arise over the prescription Dr. Moore suggests. But he makes so much damn sense in his arguments that the discussion could be civilized -- except for the heat coming from the health care industry, with billions of dollars in profits at stake, and certain politicians whose pockets are lined with industry campaign donations.
  • Not that "Sicko" avoids Moore's usual oversimplification and cute stunts. But the gist of his arguments is sound, and only a wealthy HMO executive would claim no problems exist in American medical care.
  • 17 May 2007
  • Pharmacy profession will have new regulatory body
  • The Department of Health reports "changes to the regulation of the pharmacy profession announced earlier this year have been endorsed by an independent working party."
  • The short-term working party, led by Lord Carter of Coles, was asked to work on proposals to form two separate bodies to oversee pharmacy:
    • - a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to regulate the profession
      - a body akin to a Royal College for pharmacy to provide leadership
  • "Lord Carter's working party recommended that Government establish a Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group. This Group would work closely with the pharmacy profession and the Devolved Administrations, advising Ministers on how best to ensure that the GPhC is established in a safe, efficient and effective manner. It would also help to make sure that a body akin to a Royal College is established in a manner that is fit for purpose in order to complement the responsibilities of the GPhC."
  • "The Government aim is for the GPhC to be established and running in January 2010. Lord Carter's working party recommended that the body akin to a Royal College develops in parallel with the GPhC."
  • For further information, please visit the links below:
    Department of Health release
    Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain release
    'Report of the working party on professional regulation and leadership in pharmacy'
  • 29 March 2007
  • The Department of Health announces a new scheme to "prescribe information as well as pills."
  • 'Information prescriptions' will draw "on local as well as national knowledge and information" to "point people to the relevant websites, telephone numbers and support groups for their condition. They will help people with long-term conditions…feel more in control and better able to manage their condition and maintain their independence."
  • It is anticipated that information prescriptions will be launched nationwide in 2008 and that "all people with long-term medical conditions will be clearer about the content and outcome of discussions with health professionals. The project will also empower patients to pursue these practical issues for themselves and provide help and guidance for the longer term, rather than solely at the time of their initial diagnosis."
    • Information prescriptions could point people to:
      - Information from voluntary organisations
      - Where to get benefits advice
      - Contact details for local and national support groups
      - Local places to exercise
      - Internet discussion groups on their condition
      - Contact details for home care services
      - Useful books and library locations.”
  • Visit the link below for the pilot sites listed in the Department of Health release:
    Department of Health release
  • 7 December 2006
  • Expert Group delivers final recommendations on clinical trials
  • The final report has been published by the independent Expert Scientific Group (ESG), convened to examine trials involving new types of drugs, following adverse reactions experienced by participants in the clinical trial of TGN1412.
    • The report covers a number of key areas, including:
      - need for scientific advice from independent experts before trials of high risk substances are approved
      - information about unpublished clinical trials and adverse reactions occurring in trials
      - conduct and environment of clinical trials
      - clinical trial application process
      - skills and future specialist training needs of those conducting clinical trials
      - location of trial units and the provision of adequate medical back up in case of problems arising
  • “Some of the Expert Scientific Group's recommendations, such as those proposing greater sharing of information about trials and adverse reactions, have far-reaching implications. The Government will discuss with relevant stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry and academia, how best to ensure that the necessary changes are implemented.”
  • For more information, please visit the following links:
    Press Release
    Full Report
  • 28 Novermber 2006
  • Code of Practice for promotion of NHS services
  • The long-awaited Code of Practice related to the promotion of NHS services has now been issued for consultation. “Patients have always had a keen interest in their healthcare and patient choice is now a reality in the NHS….Providers will want to make more information about their services available to patients and referring clinicians in order to help them make choices and advise patients.  Appropriate levels of promotion activity by providers are a way of making this information more easily available.”
  • The document outlines the context within which providers may wish to consider promoting their services and a self-regulatory approach to promotion of NHS services, underpinned by a Code of Practice.
  • The aims are "to ensure that:
    • information patients receive is not misleading, inaccurate, unfair or offensive;
    • the brand and reputation of the NHS is protected; and
    • expenditure of public money on advertising and promotion is not excessive.”
  • For more information, please go to: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/14/08/29/04140829.pdf
  • 19 October 2006
  • Our Health, our care, our say: making it happen
  • The Department of Health has issued a progress report on the work since the publication of the Our health, our care, our say White Paper in January 2006. The report sets out a “roadmap to achieving the White Paper’s objectives, and priorities for action.” Tools and key actions to support local implementation are provided. The report details “some of the progress being made, such as trialling individual budgets for social care users, developing new approaches to prevention, and shifting care.”
  • Please find the link to the new report and supporting information:
    http://www.dh.gov.uk/NewsHome/NewsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4139936&chk=N4kXKW
  • 4 September 2006
  • The National framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests has been launched
  • Under the framework and working principally in the community, experienced pharmacists will now be able to undergo extra training and become accredited as a 'Pharmacist with a Special Interest' (PhwSI). Health Minister Andy Burnham said that the PhwSIs will “give patients more choice about where, when and from who they seek healthcare advice and treatment for things such as sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse and diabetes, or heart attack and stroke prevention through monitoring anticoagulation medicines.”
  • ‘Modernising nursing careers – setting the direction’ has also been launched today, describing “the direction for future nursing careers with a series of priorities and actions”.
  • For more information, go to:
  • 29 September 2006
  • NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the BMA have announced “the process for the ongoing development of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the GP Contract.”
  • Birmingham University has been appointed on a three-year contract to “inform the ongoing review and development of the QOF”, working with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Society of Academic Primary Care.
  • “Led by Professor Helen Lester, the expert panel members will continue their work of reviewing the evidence base for current indicators. The expert panel will also consider new evidence-based elements for possible future inclusion in the framework as and when resources become available to support more indicators. At present, minimal change is expected for 2007/08.
  • There will be a new approach to gathering evidence and engaging stakeholders. Professor Lester and other members of the panel will take oral evidence at a series of sessions to be held annually. It is hoped that by introducing face-to-face meetings organisations will feel better able to express their views on the future development of the QOF and that through discussions with the expert panel they will also improve their understanding of the working of the framework and the evidence base required. It will also enable the patient’s view of aspects of primary care to be taken into account when considering possible indicators for future development.”
  • Please find links below for the joint NHS Employers/BMA release:
  • www.nhsemployers.org
  • www.bma.org.uk
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  • 05 September 2006
  • Health Minister Andy Burnham today announced the membership of an Expert Group to investigate clinical trials to the House of Commons
  • The Chair of the group, Professor Gordon Duff, was appointed in April following the adverse reaction of six Parexel clinical trial participants to the drug TGN1412.
  • The Expert Group is an independent scientific committee that will focus on the scientific issues arising from the TGN1412 incident and, in particular, questions arising about the implications of potential actions of such substances for future clinical trial design. It will determine its own work programme in relation to the Terms of Reference, which are:
  • To consider what may be necessary in the transition from pre-clinical to first-in-man Phase 1 studies, and in the design of these trials, with specific reference to:
    • biological molecules with novel mechanisms of action;
    • new agents with a highly species-specific action;
    • new drugs directed towards immune system targets.
  • For further information on the members of the group and its activity, go to:
    www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics
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  • 30 January 2006
  • The much anticipated Department of Health White Paper, Our Health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services has been published.
  • The White Paper ‘sets out a new direction for the whole health and social care system…a radical and sustained shift in the way in which services are delivered’ and aims to:
    • provide better intervention services
    • provide patients with more choice
    • tackle inequalities and improve access to community services
    • provide more support for long-term needs
  • A number of policies including Patient Choice, Practice Based Commissioning and the extension of the Expert Patient Programme, are reflected in the White Paper framework.
  • For further information and to review the White Paper in full, please go to:
    www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics
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  • 21 December 2005
  • Changes to the national GMS contract for 2006/07 agreed
  • Agreement has been reached between the BMA and NHS Employers to develop the General Medical Services GMS contract, following the first part of a two-stage process. The updates will take effect from April 1st 2006. Negotiations for stage two will follow the publication of the Government’s White Paper in England on care outside hospital.
  • The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) has been strengthened and improved to provide better value for money. New investment in enhanced services to support national priorities for patient services is also taking place. For England, this includes practice-based commissioning (PBC) (designed to encourage practices not yet engaged in PBC), offering choice to patients and adopting Connecting for Health’s IM&T programme. Details on country specific Direct Enhanced Services (DESs) for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being finalised. In England, there will be a new access DES which extends its scope and a new independent patient experience survey that will trigger payments to general practice for access and patient choice.
  • Nine new areas, totaling 138 points, are being introduced as part of the changes which include:
    • Dementia (20 points)
    • Depression (33 points)
    • Chronic kidney disease (27 points)
    • Atrial fibrillation (30 points)
    • Palliative Care (6 points)
    • Mental Health (new) (9 points)
    • Obesity (8 points)
    • Learning disability (4 points)
    • Recording patient ethnicity (1 point)
  • A further 28 points are being reallocated to existing areas. More detailed information on the QOF areas and indicators for 2006/07, beyond that provide in the attachment, will be available in early 2006.
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  • 16 November 2005
  • ABPI Announces Details of Updated Code of Practice
  • Following a review of the existing Code of Practice, the ABPI have announced details of a revised and updated code which will come into effect on January 1st 2006.
  • Key changes to the code include an emphasis on patient safety with companies required to include prominent information regarding the reporting of adverse drug reactions on all printed and promotional materials. Further restrictions have been placed on the relationship between the industry and healthcare professionals as well as a new clause concerning relationships with patient advocacy groups, which will ensure that their involvement with such groups is made clear.
  • New rules will also be implemented to effectively manage breaches of the code with the updated version allowing for serious breaches to be advertised in the pharmaceutical or medical press.
  • For further details and to review the full text of the updated code, please go to:
    www.abpi.org.uk
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  • 10 November 2005
  • DH announce extension to nurse and pharmacist prescribing powers
  • Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has today announced extensions to nurse and pharmacist prescribing. From spring 2006, qualified Extended Formulary nurse prescribers and pharmacist independent prescribers will be able to prescribe any licensed medicine for any medical condition - with the exception of controlled drugs. The latest extension will enable nurses and pharmacists to prescribe treatments for more serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
  • However, the BMA has called for an urgent meeting with Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, to discuss the government’s proposals. Dr Paul Miller, Chairman of the BMA Consultants' Committee referred to the proposals as ‘an irresponsible and dangerous move’.
  • For further information about the announcement, please go to:
    www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics
  • Comment from the BMA is at:
    www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf
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  • 03 November 2005
  • NICE announce faster drugs guidance for the NHS
  • NICE have today announced that they are launching the Single Technology Appraisal (STA) - a new rapid process for assessing drugs and other treatments. The STA will be used initially to produce faster guidance on life-saving drugs which have already been licensed and on new medicines close to when they first become available.
  • The STA process will begin immediately for a number of specific cancer treatments.
  • For further information, please see the link below:
    www.nice.org.uk/pdf
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  • 26 October 2005
  • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announces improved system for people to report suspected side effects from their medicines to UK health watchdog
  • The improved system will see patient Yellow Card reporting forms being made available in pharmacies, GP surgeries and other NHS outlets across the UK from next week. Reports on suspected side effects can also be made on the Yellow Card website at www.yellowcard.gov.uk or by freephone to the Yellow Card hotline on 0808 100 3352.
  • The UK-wide pilot builds on the successful patient reporting pilot run from January which was restricted to certain parts of the UK, and the wide range of feedback provided from patients and carers in the development of mechanisms for reporting suspected side effects.
  • For the full press release and links to further information, visit http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home
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  • 18 October 2005
  • The 49th British Film Festival opens with a screening of The Constant Gardener, based on a John Le Carré thriller.
  • The movie is directed by academy award winner Fernando Meirelles ("City of God") and stars Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient"). The (fictional) plot focuses on a young international activist murdered in Africa and her husband's determination to find out why. He learns that she had unraveled a British pharmaceutical company's scheme to test an experimental tuberculosis vaccine that causes miscarriages on African patients.
  • Damon B Ansell, a co-founder of Uhuru Policy Group, in an article about the film, comments:
    “Le Carré’s 500-page effort to blame drug companies for our global failure to address African disease epidemics is not all that original. Instead, this kind of blame is a convenient way of distorting the truth…In my father's house in Karen, Kenya, a suburb of Nairobi, we have several Le Carré novels on our shelves. I enjoy his spy novels, but I am disappointed that he has so poorly misrepresented Africa's greatest tragedies.”
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  • 26 September 2005
  • NICE plans faster drugs guidance for the NHS
  • NICE is now in discussion with the Department of Health over proposals for a revised process allowing more rapid appraisal of important new drugs and health technologies. In selected cases, this would allow NICE to issue guidance shortly after a drug becomes available for use in the NHS.
  • For further information, please see the link below:
    www.nice.org.uk/pdf
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  • 01 September 2005
  • Government Response to the Health Committee's Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Quoting the Department of Health website:
    “The House of Common's Health Committee published its report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry on 5 April 2005. This Command Paper sets out the Government's response to the recommendations in that report.
  • The pharmaceutical industry is an important sector for the UK. It has an outstanding record of innovation for the benefit of patients and of course, investment in the economy. It has long been the Government's policy that dealings with the industry must be balanced and appropriate with an aim of securing beneficial outcomes for patients and the economy. This comprehensive investigation by the Committee has provided the opportunity for the Government to review its policies on how it relates to industry to ensure that they remain appropriate for today's environment.”
  • To access the full response, click on the link below:
    www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics
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