ALL MEDICINES SHOULD CARRY A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING
Yes, the MHRA should take all possible means to inform the public about drugs, including putting PILs on line. The MHRA should make clearer on all PILs the following fact: All medicines are drugs which poison and stress the body to detoxify them and which cause harmful side effects. The labelling and the PIL should carry a government (or MHRA) health warning to the following effect:
'This drug may relieve your symptoms but has harmful side-effects which could seriously damage your health. Read and follow the instructions carefully before buying or taking.'
This should apply to all medicines whether sold over the counter or dispensed as a prescription.
Why the contribution is important
Iatrogenesis (doctor-induced disease) kills many thousands of people every year, and maims millions. A report in America 'Death by Medicine' by Dr Gary Null et al (see www.garynull.com/articles) shows that iatrogenesis (mainly by adverse drug reactions) is now the single biggest killer, with 800,000 deaths pa, compared with 700,000 pa from heart disease, and 590,000 from cancer. A million patients are hospitalised pa in UK from adverse drug reactions.
Drugs such as Calprufen are sold like sweets, No wonder the nation is getting ever sicker, despite record money going to the NHS.
Scaremongering the public with statements like this is not going to help with medicines compliance. I actually think that the current statement on PILs (Like all medicines, XX may cause side effects...) is about right: The general public worry enough with what is currently written on PILs - and there is ALWAYS a recommendation to see your doctor or pharmacist. If my parents read this type of warning on a medicine they would more than likely cease taking their medication - which would be life-threatening for each of them. Absolutely do not accept this proposal - on safety grounds.