- Email: [email protected]
Control of medicines advertising to the public
1032
measures.
Foremost among the recommendations is the concept of
strengthening surveillance nationwide (which must include increasing coordination among state and federal government agencies) and worldwide (through an international cooperative system). The committee recommends stockpiling selected vaccines and devising a way of expediting development and production of specific vaccines targeted to specific threats. It recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency implement expedited procedures for licensing pesticides that might be stockpiled until needed in future vector-borne infectious disease emegencies. The report recommends that the National Institutes of Health encourage research on the use of health education to alter personal and community behaviours that encourage transmission of certain infectious diseases. The battlegrounds may have changed and some new foes have appeared, but the ancient struggle of man against infectious diseases goes on in the modem era. 1.
Emerging infections: microbial threats to Medicine. 1992. Pp 294. $34.95 0-309-04741-2.
health in the USA.
plus $4 shipping
Washington: Institute of and handling. ISBN
complaints about the advertisements are handled by the Advertising Standards Authority or the Independent Television Commission, who apply their codes on advertising standards. Material breaching their codes are withdrawn. Under the MCA’s proposals, the Medicines Act, which makes the advertiser subject to criminal sanctions, will apply to breaches of prohibitions in the directive. The ASA and ITC will withdraw from the complaints system, which would leave the agency handling complaints. The PAGB favours retention of the current system of regulating advertisements, with the MCA stepping in only when the system fails. The Association argues that some of the advertising prohibitions in the directive are open to interpretation and are not clarified by the MCA’s proposals. It fears that it could be subject to criminal sanctions if it continued to vet advertisements and passed one that was interpreted as breaching the Act. Drug companies, whose advertising campaigns for the winter have already been finalised, also worry that their advertisements may be illegal in a few months’ time.
Plague New risk factor for
myocardial-infarction?
A deletion
polymorphism in the gene encoding angiotensin(ACE) may be a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI) that is independent of classic heart-disease risk factors. This evidence comes from a multicentre study’s finding that the DD genotype (associated with higher systemic concentrations of ACE than the ID or II genotypes) was significantly (p=0007) more frequent among 610 individuals with MI than among 733 controls. There was no significant difference between individuals with the three genotypes for plasmid lipid variables, fibrinogen, body-mass index (BMI), cigarette consumption, blood pressure, or hypertension (defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg or antihypertensive therapy). Furthermore, when a converting
enzyme
"low-risk" group of patients was defined (those with plasma ApoB concentration and BMI less than the median in controls, and not on hypolipidaemic therapy), the association between the DD genotype and MI was highly significant, with an overall odds ratio, adjusted for population, of 3(p <0-001). The authors note that independent confirmation of these results will be necessary. Nevertheless, a commentator on their work enthuses that the results, taken together with two other trials published this year, "have extraordinary clinical implications". 1. Cambien F, Poirier
O, Lecerf L, et al. Deletion polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin-converting factor for myocardial infarction. Nature 1992; 359: 641-44
2. Kurtz TW. The ACE of hearts. Nature
1992; 359: 588-89.
Irish abortion referendum The Irish Government has finalised the wording for its referendum on abortion on Dec 3. The proposal will be that abortion is permissible if a woman’s life is at risk during the pregnancy, but not on the grounds of any other physical or mental ill health. The decision has left proponents for both sides of the abortion issue unhappy. Pro-life supporters condemn legalisation of abortion, whereas pro-choice supporters are disappointed that the wording excludes as grounds for abortion risks such as death by
suicide, reduction in life expectancy
quality, and permanent disability. The issues of the right to exchange information on legal abortion services overseas and put to the vote in December.
to
or
travel for
an
abortion will also be
Control of medicines advertising to the public
pharmaceutical advertising directive adopted by the European Community in March this year has to be implemented by Jan 1, 1993 (see Lancet, June 13, p 1452). The Medicines Control Agency’s proposals for implementing that part of the directive concerned with advertisements to the public have caused much concern to the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (which represents manufacturers of non-prescription medicines). At present advertising for such products are vetted by the PAGB and The
in Zaire
There has been an increase in the number of reports of plague in north-eastern Zaire. In January there were 5 cases, and in February 4. The number has risen from 13 in March to over 40 in July and in August, bringing the total to 191 for the first eight months of this year.The areas affected have a total population of 60 000. The high population density and the constant movement of populations from one area to another have led to fears of an extension of the epidemic. 1.
Epidemic of plague. Weekly Epidemiol Rec 1992; 67: 315-16.
Harmony over maternity benefits The wrangle over harmonising maternity rights in the European Community (Lancet, June 13, p 1470) ended on Oct 19. The Council of Ministers has approved legislation entitling working women to a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave and to pay no less than normal sickness benefit. British women will no longer have to work for 2 years full time or 5 years part time in one job to qualify for benefit. The directive also prohibits dismissal for becoming pregnant, except in exceptional circumstances.
Scientists
against tobacco advertising
Over 700 doctors and scientists funded and signed a full-page national newspaper advertisement (Independent Oct 22) calling on the UK Government to support an EC-wide ban on tobacco advertising. They drew the Government’s attention to the general agreement among the scientific and medical community that advertising encourages young people to smoke. The publication coincided with the House of Commons debate on The Health of the Nation White Paper. The vote on the EC proposal to ban tobacco advertising should take place on Nov 13, but could be deferred. If the UK were to join those member states that support the ban, there would be a sufficient number of votes for the directive to be
adopted. Neonatal surgery
Requirements for the surgical treatment of the newborn in the UK had been reviewed in 1968, but the pattern of disease has changed. For instance the incidence of spina bifida has fallen, whereas the incidence of conditions such as necrotising enterocolitis has increased. A joint Royal College of Surgeons of England and British Association of Paediatric Surgeons working party has reexamined the provision of surgical services for the newborn. The working party notes that confidential inquiries into perioperative deaths have pointed out how inadequate training or inexperience of surgeons contributed to such deaths. It concludes that neonatal surgery should be concentrated in units with full facilities for the care of the baby and his or her family. The party also draws attention to the need for agreed protocols for transfer of babies. 1.
Report of the Working Party on Surgical Services for the newborn. London. Royal College of Surgeons of England and British Association of Paediatric Surgeons. 1992 Pp 16.
measures.
Foremost among the recommendations is the concept of
strengthening surveillance nationwide (which must include increasing coordination among state and federal government agencies) and worldwide (through an international cooperative system). The committee recommends stockpiling selected vaccines and devising a way of expediting development and production of specific vaccines targeted to specific threats. It recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency implement expedited procedures for licensing pesticides that might be stockpiled until needed in future vector-borne infectious disease emegencies. The report recommends that the National Institutes of Health encourage research on the use of health education to alter personal and community behaviours that encourage transmission of certain infectious diseases. The battlegrounds may have changed and some new foes have appeared, but the ancient struggle of man against infectious diseases goes on in the modem era. 1.
Emerging infections: microbial threats to Medicine. 1992. Pp 294. $34.95 0-309-04741-2.
health in the USA.
plus $4 shipping
Washington: Institute of and handling. ISBN
complaints about the advertisements are handled by the Advertising Standards Authority or the Independent Television Commission, who apply their codes on advertising standards. Material breaching their codes are withdrawn. Under the MCA’s proposals, the Medicines Act, which makes the advertiser subject to criminal sanctions, will apply to breaches of prohibitions in the directive. The ASA and ITC will withdraw from the complaints system, which would leave the agency handling complaints. The PAGB favours retention of the current system of regulating advertisements, with the MCA stepping in only when the system fails. The Association argues that some of the advertising prohibitions in the directive are open to interpretation and are not clarified by the MCA’s proposals. It fears that it could be subject to criminal sanctions if it continued to vet advertisements and passed one that was interpreted as breaching the Act. Drug companies, whose advertising campaigns for the winter have already been finalised, also worry that their advertisements may be illegal in a few months’ time.
Plague New risk factor for
myocardial-infarction?
A deletion
polymorphism in the gene encoding angiotensin(ACE) may be a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI) that is independent of classic heart-disease risk factors. This evidence comes from a multicentre study’s finding that the DD genotype (associated with higher systemic concentrations of ACE than the ID or II genotypes) was significantly (p=0007) more frequent among 610 individuals with MI than among 733 controls. There was no significant difference between individuals with the three genotypes for plasmid lipid variables, fibrinogen, body-mass index (BMI), cigarette consumption, blood pressure, or hypertension (defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg or antihypertensive therapy). Furthermore, when a converting
enzyme
"low-risk" group of patients was defined (those with plasma ApoB concentration and BMI less than the median in controls, and not on hypolipidaemic therapy), the association between the DD genotype and MI was highly significant, with an overall odds ratio, adjusted for population, of 3(p <0-001). The authors note that independent confirmation of these results will be necessary. Nevertheless, a commentator on their work enthuses that the results, taken together with two other trials published this year, "have extraordinary clinical implications". 1. Cambien F, Poirier
O, Lecerf L, et al. Deletion polymorphism in the gene for angiotensin-converting factor for myocardial infarction. Nature 1992; 359: 641-44
2. Kurtz TW. The ACE of hearts. Nature
1992; 359: 588-89.
Irish abortion referendum The Irish Government has finalised the wording for its referendum on abortion on Dec 3. The proposal will be that abortion is permissible if a woman’s life is at risk during the pregnancy, but not on the grounds of any other physical or mental ill health. The decision has left proponents for both sides of the abortion issue unhappy. Pro-life supporters condemn legalisation of abortion, whereas pro-choice supporters are disappointed that the wording excludes as grounds for abortion risks such as death by
suicide, reduction in life expectancy
quality, and permanent disability. The issues of the right to exchange information on legal abortion services overseas and put to the vote in December.
to
or
travel for
an
abortion will also be
Control of medicines advertising to the public
pharmaceutical advertising directive adopted by the European Community in March this year has to be implemented by Jan 1, 1993 (see Lancet, June 13, p 1452). The Medicines Control Agency’s proposals for implementing that part of the directive concerned with advertisements to the public have caused much concern to the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (which represents manufacturers of non-prescription medicines). At present advertising for such products are vetted by the PAGB and The
in Zaire
There has been an increase in the number of reports of plague in north-eastern Zaire. In January there were 5 cases, and in February 4. The number has risen from 13 in March to over 40 in July and in August, bringing the total to 191 for the first eight months of this year.The areas affected have a total population of 60 000. The high population density and the constant movement of populations from one area to another have led to fears of an extension of the epidemic. 1.
Epidemic of plague. Weekly Epidemiol Rec 1992; 67: 315-16.
Harmony over maternity benefits The wrangle over harmonising maternity rights in the European Community (Lancet, June 13, p 1470) ended on Oct 19. The Council of Ministers has approved legislation entitling working women to a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave and to pay no less than normal sickness benefit. British women will no longer have to work for 2 years full time or 5 years part time in one job to qualify for benefit. The directive also prohibits dismissal for becoming pregnant, except in exceptional circumstances.
Scientists
against tobacco advertising
Over 700 doctors and scientists funded and signed a full-page national newspaper advertisement (Independent Oct 22) calling on the UK Government to support an EC-wide ban on tobacco advertising. They drew the Government’s attention to the general agreement among the scientific and medical community that advertising encourages young people to smoke. The publication coincided with the House of Commons debate on The Health of the Nation White Paper. The vote on the EC proposal to ban tobacco advertising should take place on Nov 13, but could be deferred. If the UK were to join those member states that support the ban, there would be a sufficient number of votes for the directive to be
adopted. Neonatal surgery
Requirements for the surgical treatment of the newborn in the UK had been reviewed in 1968, but the pattern of disease has changed. For instance the incidence of spina bifida has fallen, whereas the incidence of conditions such as necrotising enterocolitis has increased. A joint Royal College of Surgeons of England and British Association of Paediatric Surgeons working party has reexamined the provision of surgical services for the newborn. The working party notes that confidential inquiries into perioperative deaths have pointed out how inadequate training or inexperience of surgeons contributed to such deaths. It concludes that neonatal surgery should be concentrated in units with full facilities for the care of the baby and his or her family. The party also draws attention to the need for agreed protocols for transfer of babies. 1.
Report of the Working Party on Surgical Services for the newborn. London. Royal College of Surgeons of England and British Association of Paediatric Surgeons. 1992 Pp 16.