NHS doctors challenge high drugs prices

July 30, 2007 in Community Care

Public health directors in Greater Manchester have decided to offer an unlicensed drug to prevent blindness to patients to combat high prices charged by pharmaceutical companies.

They are offering Avastin to patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, which can cause blindness within months, as an alternative to Novartis, which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has said should only be used in the worst cases because of its cost.

Source:- The Guardian Monday 30 July 2007 page 1

Researchers find genes that can increase risk of getting MS

Scientists have discovered new genes that can increase a person’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis, which could lead to improved treatments and a better understanding of the disease.

Source:- The Guardian Monday 30 July 2007 page 6

Rogue gangmasters are moving migrants to work in care homes

Gangmasters are moving migrants to work in care homes because the government has tightened up regulations on working in farming.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up two years ago to regulate labour in the fresh food and farming sectors, but trade unions claim that gangmasters have moved into the residential care sector as a result.

Source:- The Times Monday 30 July 2007 page 12

Britain accused of failing in its responsibility to refugees

The few Iraqi refugees who complete the perilous and expensive trip to Britain have little prospect of being allowed to stay.

Source:- The Independent, Monday 30 July 2007, page 2

King’s Fund: NHS pay deal failed to deliver for patients and staff

The overhaul of National Health Service pay was rushed, went over budget and has produced little benefit for patients, the government will be told today.

Source:- The Independent, Monday 30 July 2007, page 18

Drive to get children playing outdoors, like their parents

Only one in five of today’s children play outside in the street or local parks every day, according to new research.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 1

Children being given drugs they don’t need, Tories claim

Thousands of children are being given powerful behaviour-altering drugs they don’t, according to Conservatives.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 2

Government accused of wasting £9 million of taxpayers’ money on prison crisis

Ministers were last night accused of wasting a “staggering” amount of money after it was revealed that the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) had set aside £9 million for the use of police and court cells for prisoners in 2007-8, because of overcrowding in prisons.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 2

Mental problems ‘double among Iraq troops’

The number of troops suffering psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress, mood swings and drink and drug problems appears to have doubled in the past year.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 6

Give poor children healthy free meals over the holidays

Children from low-income families should be given healthy meals free during the holidays to stop them becoming obese, a report says today.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 7

Childhood obesity to rise for another 40 years, says leaked study

Half of Britain’s young boys could be dangerously overweight by 2050, a leaked report claims.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 7

Caring home technology for elderly

Computerised homes that can track elderly people’s movements and monitor their health are being developed in Britain.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 8

Woman aged 108 is told to wait 18 months for a hearing aid

A woman of 108 has been told by health chiefs that she must wait 18 months to get a new hearing aid.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph, Monday 30 July 2007, page 8