16.06.15
CMO calls for review of safety and efficacy of medicines
The chief medical officer for England has called for a review of the safety and efficacy of medicines.
The Department of Health has confirmed that Dame Sally Davies has written to the Academy of Medical Sciences to express concern that recent controversies surrounding the safety of certain marketed medicines has dented the public’s faith in the system and trust in medical professionals.
The Academy will conduct a review, starting Wednesday, which will report back by the end of the year.
The letter, which was seen by the BBC, reads: “There seems to be a view that doctors over-medicate so it is difficult to trust them, and that clinical scientists are all beset by conflicts of interest from industry funding and are therefore untrustworthy too.”
Dame Sally cited debates over the use of cholesterol lowering statin drugs for people at low risk of developing heart disease and Tamiflu. She believes this is not in the best interests of patients or public health.
Her letter continues: “I have, therefore, reluctantly come to the conclusion that we do need an authoritative independent report looking at how society should judge the safety and efficacy of drugs as an intervention.”
The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has welcomed the review, saying that it is important that patients have confidence in their doctors and the medications they prescribe.
Professor Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, said: “The ongoing debate about the advantages and disadvantages of medication such as statins has caused concern amongst the public, but it is important that patients don’t panic – and that they keep taking any medication prescribed by their family doctor.
“The main focus of the GP is always the wellbeing of the individual patient and patients should be reassured that we will prescribe medication only when necessary and where other alternatives have been explored.”
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