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Ontario health minister resigns over allegations
THE LANCET
POLICY AND PEOPLE
Ontario health minister resigns over allegations
O
ntario Health Minister, James Wilson, has resigned in the wake of allegations that a member of his staff improperly obtained and leaked confidential information about a cardiologist’s income as part of a bid to discredit a vocal opponent in the continuing dispute over government cutbacks in doctors’ incomes. Although Wilson insisted he had no personal knowledge of his aide’s actions or of the cardiologist’s billing levels, he claimed that it was necessary to resign while the province’s privacy commissioner conducted an investigation into exactly how and why privacy laws were breached. “It is critical that the confidentiality of information in the ministry of health regarding any individual be maintained and protected”, Wilson told the legislature on Dec 9. “To ensure the integrity of the investigation by the privacy commissioner, I believe it is both honorable and appropriate that I step aside . . . until the investigation is completed”. Wilson’s executive assistant Brett James said that Peterborough cardiologist William Hughes was the largest biller in the province after the vicechairman of the Specialist Coalition of Ontario had held a press conference calling on members to have a 1day strike in an effort to increase pressure on the government to settle the protracted dispute over fees and restrictions on the issue of new billing numbers (see Lancet, 1996; 348: 1305). James, who was subsequently fired, admitted that he had gleaned the information from health files, implying that the government was perusing confidential documents for ammunition with which to smear opponents of the provincial clawback and cap on incomes. Meanwhile, the stage was set for another battle between a province and its doctors last week when Quebec quietly informed its four doctors’ federations—general practitioners, specialists, residents, and students—that as of Jan 1, a 6% cut will be imposed on the Can$2·2 billion per year paid to Quebec’s 19 000 doctors. The four federations promptly called for a 1-day walkout so that members could consider options in response to the cutbacks.
First Israeli science adviser appointed
I
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, for the first time, appointed a science advisor, who will be a direct liaison between the Prime Minister and the scientific and academic community. “I also see science as a natural bridge to our neighbours. We are pursuing opportunities to create scientific projects, increase international cooperation, and anchor peace in projects run jointly by Israelis and our Arab neighbours”, said the Prime Minister. “The Prime Minister wants to take an active hand in facilitating Israel’s transition from an agribased economy to a world-class technologically based economy, to directly encourage scientific research, and to advance science education at all levels”, says the Turkish-born appointee Prof Israel Hanukoglu, aged 44. Hanukoglu, a molecular biologist, was educated in the USA and is a pronounced nationalist. While at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Hanukoglu, who is credited
with starting the subdiscipline of molecular steroidogenesis by organising the first symposium in 1991, was elected chairman of the 600-member Professors for a Strong Israel, the political lobbying organisation of Israeli academics that supported Netanyahu’s bid for office, a fact that irks some of the left-leaning media. But looking ahead, Hanukoglu says, “Science is beyond politics and should serve the nation, not just one party”. “Here is a young man with vision and knowledge who will help carry Israeli science policy into the 21st century. This [appointment] is an excellent choice of a first class scientist committed to serve his country”, said Eli Pollack, professor of chemical physics at the Weizmann, also chairman of Israel’s Media Watch, a public watchdog organisation that ensures that high standards and ethics are maintained by the lay science media.
Australia says “no” to euthanasia
News in brief
A
Generic agreement reached Knoll Pharmaceutical says it has reached an agreement with the University of California at San Francisco to allow publication of a study that shows that its form of levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) is similar to generics. The company blocked the study, which was accepted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, claiming that it was flawed. The firm was recently ordered by FDA to stop distribution of a study purporting to show Synthroid to be superior to other versions of levothyroxine.
controversial bill which, if passed, will negate the Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, has passed through the lower house of the Australian Federal Parliament with overwhelming support. The vote on the bill, which will prohibit Australian territories from passing euthanasia laws, was the first conscience vote for many years in the Federal Parliament. To become law and override the Northern Territory law, the Andrews’ bill—named after the backbencher who introduced it— must also pass through the Senate. However, its passage through the Senate is not necessarily assured with some speculation that there is greater Senate support for euthanasia, where the balance of power is held by independents. A Senate committee is currently taking submissions on the bill and will report back to the Senate next year. The bill will not be debated until parliament resumes in February, 1997. In the meantime, the Territory law remains in effect.
Rachelle H B Fishman
Doctor released The Japanese university medical-school professor who was arrested in late November for receiving ¥1·6 million from a subsidiary of Allergan was released last week. Prosecutors concluded that the doctor had received the money not for altering results, but for reports done in 1993. The case still caused concern, because the doctor was supposed to have been compensated via the hospital, and not direct from the company. Universities have called for clearer guidelines for such compensation.
Stephen Cordner, Kathy Ettershank Wayne Kondro
1730
Vol 348 • December 21/28, 1996
POLICY AND PEOPLE
Ontario health minister resigns over allegations
O
ntario Health Minister, James Wilson, has resigned in the wake of allegations that a member of his staff improperly obtained and leaked confidential information about a cardiologist’s income as part of a bid to discredit a vocal opponent in the continuing dispute over government cutbacks in doctors’ incomes. Although Wilson insisted he had no personal knowledge of his aide’s actions or of the cardiologist’s billing levels, he claimed that it was necessary to resign while the province’s privacy commissioner conducted an investigation into exactly how and why privacy laws were breached. “It is critical that the confidentiality of information in the ministry of health regarding any individual be maintained and protected”, Wilson told the legislature on Dec 9. “To ensure the integrity of the investigation by the privacy commissioner, I believe it is both honorable and appropriate that I step aside . . . until the investigation is completed”. Wilson’s executive assistant Brett James said that Peterborough cardiologist William Hughes was the largest biller in the province after the vicechairman of the Specialist Coalition of Ontario had held a press conference calling on members to have a 1day strike in an effort to increase pressure on the government to settle the protracted dispute over fees and restrictions on the issue of new billing numbers (see Lancet, 1996; 348: 1305). James, who was subsequently fired, admitted that he had gleaned the information from health files, implying that the government was perusing confidential documents for ammunition with which to smear opponents of the provincial clawback and cap on incomes. Meanwhile, the stage was set for another battle between a province and its doctors last week when Quebec quietly informed its four doctors’ federations—general practitioners, specialists, residents, and students—that as of Jan 1, a 6% cut will be imposed on the Can$2·2 billion per year paid to Quebec’s 19 000 doctors. The four federations promptly called for a 1-day walkout so that members could consider options in response to the cutbacks.
First Israeli science adviser appointed
I
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, for the first time, appointed a science advisor, who will be a direct liaison between the Prime Minister and the scientific and academic community. “I also see science as a natural bridge to our neighbours. We are pursuing opportunities to create scientific projects, increase international cooperation, and anchor peace in projects run jointly by Israelis and our Arab neighbours”, said the Prime Minister. “The Prime Minister wants to take an active hand in facilitating Israel’s transition from an agribased economy to a world-class technologically based economy, to directly encourage scientific research, and to advance science education at all levels”, says the Turkish-born appointee Prof Israel Hanukoglu, aged 44. Hanukoglu, a molecular biologist, was educated in the USA and is a pronounced nationalist. While at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Hanukoglu, who is credited
with starting the subdiscipline of molecular steroidogenesis by organising the first symposium in 1991, was elected chairman of the 600-member Professors for a Strong Israel, the political lobbying organisation of Israeli academics that supported Netanyahu’s bid for office, a fact that irks some of the left-leaning media. But looking ahead, Hanukoglu says, “Science is beyond politics and should serve the nation, not just one party”. “Here is a young man with vision and knowledge who will help carry Israeli science policy into the 21st century. This [appointment] is an excellent choice of a first class scientist committed to serve his country”, said Eli Pollack, professor of chemical physics at the Weizmann, also chairman of Israel’s Media Watch, a public watchdog organisation that ensures that high standards and ethics are maintained by the lay science media.
Australia says “no” to euthanasia
News in brief
A
Generic agreement reached Knoll Pharmaceutical says it has reached an agreement with the University of California at San Francisco to allow publication of a study that shows that its form of levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) is similar to generics. The company blocked the study, which was accepted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, claiming that it was flawed. The firm was recently ordered by FDA to stop distribution of a study purporting to show Synthroid to be superior to other versions of levothyroxine.
controversial bill which, if passed, will negate the Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, has passed through the lower house of the Australian Federal Parliament with overwhelming support. The vote on the bill, which will prohibit Australian territories from passing euthanasia laws, was the first conscience vote for many years in the Federal Parliament. To become law and override the Northern Territory law, the Andrews’ bill—named after the backbencher who introduced it— must also pass through the Senate. However, its passage through the Senate is not necessarily assured with some speculation that there is greater Senate support for euthanasia, where the balance of power is held by independents. A Senate committee is currently taking submissions on the bill and will report back to the Senate next year. The bill will not be debated until parliament resumes in February, 1997. In the meantime, the Territory law remains in effect.
Rachelle H B Fishman
Doctor released The Japanese university medical-school professor who was arrested in late November for receiving ¥1·6 million from a subsidiary of Allergan was released last week. Prosecutors concluded that the doctor had received the money not for altering results, but for reports done in 1993. The case still caused concern, because the doctor was supposed to have been compensated via the hospital, and not direct from the company. Universities have called for clearer guidelines for such compensation.
Stephen Cordner, Kathy Ettershank Wayne Kondro
1730
Vol 348 • December 21/28, 1996