NZ Health NZ Health email a friend the page url address you are currently on


#########
NZ Health Trust
NZ Health Trust nz health nz healthnz health nz health
order postcardsNZ Health News

Latest News

Date  
2016

2007 news | 2006 news | 2005 news | Fluoride News | RSS News Feeds

 
11th May 2016

Watch New Zealand premiere showing of LETTERS FROM GENERATION Rx movie

Join us for an exclusive New Zealand premiere showing of LETTERS FROM GENERATION Rx movie followed by a panel discussion with Prof Julia Rucklidge, University of Canterbury and Lisa Hansen, lawyer for the New Zealand Health Trust, about the film and whether natural health products legislation now before Parliament is in the public's best interests.

LETTERS FROM GENERATION Rx, narrated by Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton, is designed to spur an international conversation about mental illness and our current treatments. Miller spent two years interviewing some of the world's most respected researchers, doctors, journalists, politicians, academics and dozens of regular folks whose lives were blighted by the medications they were prescribed. The film also features families who came back from agony and desperation to a place of true wellness. This film is essential viewing for those interested in an intelligent conversation about the causes of mental illness and its treatments. By coming to this showing, you support the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Laboratory which is investigating alternative ways forward for treating mental illness.

This event is hosted in partnership with UC Foundation. Entry free, koha welcome. Tickets not required.

Doors open 6pm; film screened at 6:30pm

WHERE:
Exchange Christchurch - XCHC
376 Wilsons Road, Christchurch, New Zealand 8011
WHEN: Thursday may 19th 6pm.

 
7th Mar 2014

Media statement on behalf of David Sloan, Chairman of New Health New Zealand Inc. 

New Health has read the decision and respectfully disagrees with the judge’s interpretation of the Local Government Act, Health Act and NZ Bill of Rights Act.  In particular it disagrees with the judge’s view that fluoridation is not medical treatment for the purposes of s 11 of the Bill of Rights.

It will appeal the decision.

There is a persuasive and respectable body of scientific and medical evidence that water fluoridation is of doubtful benefit and there are risks of harm.

In today’s consumer-enlightened era, people should have the choice whether or not to ingest something that has a claimed therapeutic purpose.

No other public health measure removes a person’s choice in the same way as fluoridation. 

Comparing water fluoridation with water chlorination and iodised salt is simply wrong.  Iodine is an essential nutrient but fluoride is not.  Further people have a choice whether to buy iodised or non-iodised salt.

Water chlorination treats the water by eliminating bacteria, whereas fluoride claims to treat dental decay.  These purposes are quite different.

New Health is concerned at some of the implications of the decision.  For example on its face it permits councils to put medicines such as the claimed mood-enhancer lithium in the water supply.  Additionally the water supply potentially could be a delivery system for vaccines. 

Delivering medication this way is contrary to medical ethics as its fails to control for dose, individual need and sensitivities, and overrides individual consent. 

Kind regards

Dave Sloan

New health NZ Inc

 
17th Dec 2013

New Plymouth High Court challenge to the South Taranaki District Council

Earlier this year New Health New Zealand Inc filed a judicial review proceeding in the New Plymouth High Court challenging a decision of the South Taranaki District Council to add fluoride to its Patea and Waverley water supplies. 

It is only the second time in New Zealand’s history that the lawfulness of fluoridation has been raised in the courts.  The first time was in 1963 when some Lower Hutt ratepayers sought an injunction to prevent fluoridation.  That case went all the way to the Privy Council.  The outcome was that the Privy Council held that s 240 of the Municipal Corporations Act 1954 implicitly authorised fluoridation. 

Section 240 has long been repealed and New Health considered that it was important to test the issue of the lawfulness of fluoridation again.  This is effectively a test case.

The case was heard on 25 and 26 November 2013. 

Key arguments advanced by New Health included: that fluoridation is a breach of s 11 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA), that such a breach has firstly, not been prescribed by law, and secondly, is an unjustified and disproportionate limitation on the right contained in s 11. 

Under s 11 a person has a right to refuse to undergo medical treatment.  New Health argued that fluoridation constitutes “medical treatment” in that it is the administration of a pharmacologically active substance for a therapeutic purpose, ie to prevent dental caries.  New Health said that realistically most people have no ability to opt out of fluoridation.  New Health also argued that there is nothing in the Local Government Act 2002 or the Health Act 1956 or any other Act that specifically authorises fluoridation, and moreover that fluoridation is a disproportionate limit on the right to refuse to undergo medical treatment.  In respect of proportionality New Health argued that the benefits did not outweigh the detriments.  In particular New Health pointed to the uncertainty around the scientific evidence of efficacy and adverse effects.  Additionally, it emphasised that as the mechanism of action of fluoride is topical, there is no need to swallow fluoride and that excessive ingestion of fluoride can (at the very least) cause dental fluorosis.

The Attorney-General intervened in the proceeding and argued that fluoridation was not a medical treatment (in particular because it was not administered by a doctor) and/or that there was a right to refuse to drink fluoridated water.

The South Taranaki District Council defended its decision and said it was lawful.

A decision is expected in the New Year.

Regards

Dave Sloan

Chairman
New Health NZ Inc

 
6th Jan 2012

Food Bill change leaves growers in dark

Farmers' market and small-scale food producers in South Canterbury are in the dark over the effects of the Food Bill before Parliament.

Submissions on the bill closed in September 2010, but in the past four months more than 27,000 people have signed a Facebook petition against it on the grounds the bill would impede "initiatives like community gardens, food co-ops, heritage seed banks, farmers' markets, bake sales and roadside fruit and vegetable stalls".

Writers of letters to The Timaru Herald this week have also raised concerns that the law would be policed by enforcement officers with far-reaching powers. read full article

 
5th Jan
2012

MP calls for more feedback on Food Bill

Growing unease over the contents of the poorly drafted Food Bill warrants allowing further public submissions, a Green MP says.

Submissions on the bill closed in September 2010, but a Facebook petition that says the bill "will seriously impede initiatives like community gardens, food co-ops, heritage seed banks, farmers markets, bake sales, and roadside fruit & vegetable stalls" had attracted more than 27,000 signatures in the past four months.
read full article

 
3rd Jan 2012

Fears of new laws 'unwarranted'

Green list MP Steffan Browning, who lives in Marlborough, wants the Government to reopen public consultation on the New Zealand Food Bill, now before Parliament.

A viral internet campaign is feeding mostly unwarranted fears about the proposed bill, Mr Browning said. These include the ability of people to sell produce from their front gate or even swap vegetables with neighbours. read full article

 

 
24th Nov 2010

Big payouts expected in Pan case

A CLASS action against Canberra and several current and former workers of the TGA has resulted in Canberra facing a massive payout.

The legal bill, potentially in the multi-million-dollar range, would be subject to approval of the Federal Court.
read full story

 

 
29th Oct 2010

Italy doctors jailed for 'clinic of horrors' operations

Eight Italian doctors have been sentenced to prison for carrying out dozens of unnecessary operations for financial gain.

The doctors, who were working at Milan's Santa Rita clinic, carried out more than 80 unnecessary operations. read full story

 
15th Sept 2010

“The Auckland District Health Board’s claim that it found no evidence that would allow it to say high-dose Vitamin C treatment is either safe or effective is absurd and pseudo-science,” says Risk & Policy Adviser Ron Law. 

To deliberately condemn patients to death without even trying Ascor L 500 is surely exposing the Auckland District Health Board and its practitioners to ridicule and claims of malpractice.
Minister’s consent for Ascor L 500
Five years after the submission of an application for a licence to market high-dose (500mg/mL) intravenous vitamin C Ascor L 500 as a registered medicine, the Minister of Health gave his approval in January 2010 under s20 of the Medicines Act 1981. The gazette notice was issued on 21 January 2010 (see http://tinyurl.com/25ypswh).
Another brand of high-dose intravenous vitamin C (100 mg/mL) was licenced nearly a decade ago as a medicine.
The Minister only consents to medicines with proven safety and efficacy.
The medical literature is littered with papers on high dose vitamin C therapy spanning some 60 years.  High-dose intravenous Vitamin C treatment is proven safe, especially in the context of a patient condemned to death by his doctors.
Safety
The Ministry of Health has confirmed to me today [15 September 2010] that high-dose intravenous vitamin C branded as Ascor L 500 is a fully registered medicine and is classified for general sale, “because its use generally poses a low risk of harm to health. Technically a supermarket could sell it, however as it is an injectable medicine realistically they won't.” [Response on file.]
In other words, intravenous ascorbic acid in the form of Ascor L 500 is so safe that it does not even require a doctor’s prescription, nor does it require being sold through a pharmacy; it can be sold anywhere!
The medical literature is littered with evidence that high-dose intravenous Vitamin C treatment is safe and, especially in the context of a patient condemned to death.
The guardian of evidence-based medicine, the Cochran Reviews, have even undertaken meta-analysis reviews of vitamin C therapies.
The Cochran Reviews have confirmed safety in pharmacokinetic studies where participants were administered up to 100 grams of vitamin C intravenously within a few hours without any reported adverse effects, indicating the safety of such a large dose. They note studies that have reported administration of over 100 grams per day of vitamin C orally to pneumonia patients, which indicated safety of such high doses.
The fact that the Auckland District Health Board’s so-called clinical practice committee could find zero evidence of safety means that they simply did not look; the only other explanation is that their bias and prejudice got in the way of objectivity.
Efficacy
Given that Ascor L 500 is a fully registered medicine it can be used for any purpose by any doctor whether for the conditions used to license the substance or not. Therefore, there is no legal reason not to prescribe Ascor L 500 to any patient by any doctor.
High dose vitamin C is well researched and has a research pedigree extending over six decades.
Whilst the Cochran Reviews concluded that “In ordinary middle-aged Western populations, there is no rationale to study the prophylactic effects of vitamin C. [However] study of the therapeutic effects of vitamin C on pneumonia patients is well justified.”
(Hemilä H, Louhiala P. Vitamin C for preventing and treating pneumonia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009.)
Ethics
It is incumbent on medical practitioners to, “First Do No Harm.” The ADHB’s medical practitioners would appear to have put their beliefs before the welfare of their patients.
In effect, they have deemed that they would rather that their patients died than try a proven safe and very cheap alternative. Asco L 500 is not an alternative medicine. By law and by definition it is a fully licensed medicine given the full approval of the Minister of Health in January 2010 that any medical practitioner can use for any therapeutic purpose.
To deliberately condemn patients to death without even trying Ascor L 500 is surely exposing the Auckland District Health Board’s practitioners to further ridicule and claims of malpractice.
Contact: Ron Law, Risk & Policy Adviser, juderonATgmail.com

 
15th Sept 2010

60 Minutes Follow up on High dose Vitamin C

http://ondemand.tv3.co.nz/Stephen-Wilce-and-Vitamin-C/tabid/59/articleID/1116/MCat/22/Default.aspx

note: starts about 1/2 way through

 
15th Sept 2010

AUCKLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD High-dosage Vita C.

No evidence exists to confidently say that high-dosage Vitamin C therapy is either safe or effective, ADHB Chief Medical Officer Dr Margaret Wilsher said today.

 
19th Aug 2010

Living Proof 60 Minutes TV3, High dose Vitamin C story
http://ondemand.tv3.co.nz/Living-Proof/tabid/59/articleID/923/MCat/22/Default.aspx

 
 

Pan founder Jim Selim dies

KATE LAHEY
May 20, 2010 - 2:17PM

Jim Selim, the founder of Pan Pharmaceuticals, has died after a recent stroke and battle with leukaemia. He was 68.

Born in Egypt, Mr Selim set up Pan in 1974 with four staff. By 2002 he was one of the wealthiest 100 Australians, worth $210 million, according to the BRW Rich list that year. Read full story

 
 

Pan founder suffers stroke

KATE LAHEY
May 20, 2010

The founder of Pan Pharmaceuticals, Jim Selim, has suffered a stroke that has left him partially paralysed and unable to speak, a court has heard. read full story

 
2nd Nov 2009

Jim Selim to testify in pharmaceuticals class action

PAN Pharmaceuticals founder Jim Selim will give evidence in a massive $120 million class action next month, following a recent court ruling.

Mr Selim's testimony will be heard in a closed court and he will not be subject to cross-examination. read full story

Instead, a judge alone will question him, in a rarely used procedure.

 
6th Sep 2009

Pfizer pleads guilty to felony crime in fraudulent marketing of Bextra, pays billions in fines
http://www.naturalnews.com/026963_Pfizer_Bextra_health.html

 
8th April 2009

Greens and National Announce Shared Initiatives

Wednesday, 8 April 2009, 12:28 pm
Press Release: Green Party

 

8 April 2009

  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0904/S00120.htm
 
8th April 2009

Greens, National find common ground
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2323333/Greens-National-find-common-ground

*Green MP sue Kedgley will work with the Minister of Health Tony Ryall and Associate Minister Jonathan Coleman to develop a regulatory system specific to new Zealand, rather than the trans-Trasman model proposed by Labour.

 
28th Feb 2009

Baxter admits contaminated seasonal flu product contained live ...

The Canadian Press - ‎Feb 27, 2009‎
The company that released contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria confirmed Friday that the experimental product contained live H5N1 avian ...

Officials investigate how bird flu viruses were sent to ...

The Canadian Press - ‎Feb 25, 2009‎
Officials are trying to get to the bottom of how vaccine manufacturer Baxter International Inc. made "experimental virus material" based on a human flu ...

Baxter Sent Bird Flu Virus to European Labs by Error

Bloomberg - ‎Feb 24, 2009‎
By Michelle Fay Cortez and Jason Gale Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Baxter International Inc. in Austria unintentionally contaminated samples with the bird flu ...
 
3rd Mar 2009

Trans-Tasman health products agency back on agenda

The Government is back in talks with Australia over the establishment of a trans-Tasman agency to regulate health products. read article

 
5th feb 2009

ANH CALLS FOR URGENT INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE WORK OF EUROPE’S FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY
After it clears toothpaste toxin for use in food supplements.
read full article
http://www.anhcampaign.org/news/anh-press-release-anh-calls-for-inquiry-into-efsa-work

[Download PDF version]

The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) calls today for an urgent independent inquiry into the scientific methods used by Europe’s highest authority on food safety, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This call comes on the back of the ANH’s highly critical analysis, published on its website today, of EFSA’s decision to approve for food supplement use the chemical sodium monofluorophosphate, the same chemical commonly added to toothpaste and mouth washes to prevent or treat tooth decay

 
27th Jan 2009

Distinguishing Food from Medicine: European Court defines borderline

By
Sepp
on January 27, 2009 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A recent decision of the European Court of Justice has delineated the borderline between food and medicine in a case involving a German pharmaceutical importer and the administrative authorities. The Lueneburg district's administration had challenged Hecht-Pharma that their product called "Red Rice" was a medicine by function, and that it could not be legally sold in Germany. A "medicine by function" is a product presented and sold as a food, that is determined to really be a medicine because its function is that of "restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions in human beings".

 
16th Jan 2009
Naturopath faces Therapeutic Goods Administration's bitter pill
The Australian, Australia - 16th Jan 2009
He has become part of a $120 million class action against the commonwealth over its role in the collapse of Pan Pharmaceuticals, which once supplied his ...
 
14th Jan 2009
Drug risks prompt watchdog to extend powers
The Australian, Australia - Jan 14, 2009
THE drugs watchdog is considering extending its control over medicines to include their distribution for the first time, amid fears about the security and ...
 
3rd Jan 2009
Silence over Pan bureaucrats
The Australian, Australia - Jan 2, 2009
"The matter of Pan Pharmaceuticals is currently the subject of legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment," Ms Elliot's spokesman said. ...
 
24th Dec 2008 $165m lawsuit for Pan Pharmaceutical collapse
Daily Telegraph, Australia - 9 hours ago
By Janet Fife-Yeomans HUNDREDS of small businesses and shareholders, who lost millions when Pan Pharmaceuticals collapsed, began a lawsuit against the ...
Govt faces new lawsuit over Pan collapse ABC Online
Class action begins over Pan handling The Age
Pan class action seeks $120m compensation The Australian
Sydney Morning Herald - Trading Markets (press release)
 
23rd Dec 2008

IMF Pan Class Action Release

read PDF

IMF re Pan News Release 5 Sep 08

read PDF

 
29th Oct 2008

Pan Pharmaceuticals founder Jim Selim says he has been asked to join the board of a large company

Joe Kelly | October 29, 2008

PAN Pharmaceuticals founder Jim Selim is considering a return to corporate life after beating criminal charges stemming from the collapse of his company and receiving a $55 million payout from the federal Government.

Mr Selim, who yesterday donated $1million to the Leukemia Foundation at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, told The Australian he had been asked to join the board of a large company.
read full article click here

 

 
19th Sept 2008
Charges dropped against former Pan boss, but company fined
ABC Online, Australia - 19 Sep 2008
The product was made by Pan Pharmaceuticals, and in what many are now calling an overreaction by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, or the TGA, ...
Pan Pharmaceuticals fined $10m, but Jim Selim charges dropped The Australian
Charges against Pan's Selim dropped NEWS.com.au
Criminal charges dropped Melbourne Herald Sun
The Age - ABC Online
all 67 news articles »
 
8th Sept 2008
Class action seeks $200m for Pan losses
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 8th Sept 2008
However, Pan founder Jim Selim in mid-2008 has won an out-of court settlement worth $A55m to his case alleging misconduct by the TGA, ...
 
5th Sept 2008
Class action follows Selim settlement
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 5 Sep 2008
In 2003, the TGA cancelled Pan Pharmaceuticals' licence and recalled 1600 of its products following questions about their ingredients. ...
IMF leads class action against government over Pan
The Australian, Australia - 5 Sep 2008
That recall -- the largest ever for that type of product -- and the suspension by the TGA of Pan's licence, caused the company to collapse, ...
Pan victims seek $200m
The Age, Australia - 5 Sep 2008
Last month, the Government paid a record $55 million to Pan founder Jim Selim, ending a Federal Court case that highlighted the actions of senior TGA ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Sky News Australia, Australia - 5 Sep 2008
The action is to be made on behalf of shareholders, customers and creditors of Pan, which collapsed after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) ...
 
4th Sept 2008
Pan class action launched
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Companies take action against govt
Sky News Australia, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
The West Australian, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
The Age, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Pan class action launched
The Age, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Pan class action launched
WA today, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Brisbane Times, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Ninemsn, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Pan creditors to sue govt over losses
The West Australian, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
A class action has been launched against the federal government on behalf of companies that suffered massive losses after the collapse of Pan ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Courier Mail, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Daily Telegraph, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Sunday Times.au, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Adelaidenow, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
PerthNow, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
Mercury, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action launched over Pan collapse
The Australian, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
In 2003, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recalled 6000 Pan products following questions over their ingredients, and suspended the company's ...
Class action expected against Australian drug administrator
Radio Australia, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
Five years ago the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) suspended Pan Pharmaceuticals' licence and recalled its goods, causing many shareholders and ...
Shareholders launch class action over Pan Pharmaceuticals collapse
Business Spectator, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
... the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), against Pan. The TGA withdrew Pan's licence and the business closed down in April 2003.
Pan shareholders, businesses to launch class action
ABC Online, Australia - 4 Sep 2008
Five years ago the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) suspended Pan Pharmaceuticals' licence and recalled its goods, causing many shareholders and ...

 

 
4th Sept 2008

Pan settlement opens door for huge class action

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 04/09/2008
Reporter: Thea Dikeos

The $55 million settlement between the Commonwealth and Pan Pharmaceutical founder
Jim Selim has opened the door to a huge class action, that could cost more than $100
million. Major losses were incurred by shareholders and businesses when Pan collapsed
after the therapeutic goods administration suspended its licence and recalled its products
in 2003. The legal battle has exposed some of the secretive machinations involved in the
biggest drug recall in Australian history. read transcript PDF

Watch the 7:30 report Windows Media Video, click here

 
3rd Sept 2008
Poisoned boy's mother slams recall system
Holbrook Chronicle, Australia - 3 Sep 2008
The same day the Federal Court awarded the former Pan Pharmaceuticals boss Jim Selim $55 million as a result of a botched recall by the TGA in 2003, ...
Poisoned boy's mother slams recall system
Narromine News and Trangie Advocate, Australia - 3 Sep 2008
The same day the Federal Court awarded the former Pan Pharmaceuticals boss Jim Selim $55 million as a result of a botched recall by the TGA in 2003, ...
 
27 Aug 2008

Successful lawsuit doesn't affect NZ, says Dalziel

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 - Otago Daily Times
The Australian Federal Government's decision to pay a record $A50 million (NZ$62.3 million) compensation to the founder of complementary medicine manufacturer, Pan Pharmaceuticals, does not impact on New Zealand, Food Safety Minister Lianne Dalziel says. read full article

 
25th Aug 2008

Why there won't be an enquiry into the TGA

25 August 08

In the wake of the Pan settlement, the complementary medicines sector on both sides of the Tasman is calling for an enquiry into the Therapeutic Goods Administration but, whatever the merits of the call, an enquiry almost certainly won’t happen. read PDF

 
25th Aug 2008

TGA class action now certain

Posted 25 August 2008

The race to mount a class action against the TGA on behalf of individuals and business affected by the Pan recall is well and truly under way with a number of plaintiff lawyers said to be chasing the potentially lucrative prize. read PDF
 
24th Aug 2008

Medical payouts soar

5:00AM Sunday August 24, 2008
By Michelle Coursey

ACC payouts for medical mistakes, treatment injuries and adverse reactions to medicine have jumped by 1100 per cent in three years. Total accepted claims until 2005 cost $5 million, but have since risen to just over $60m. And the rise shows no sign of slowing, with more than $6m paid out in July, the first month of this financial year. read full story

 
23rd Aug 2008

Pan Pharmaceutical class actions pending

23rd August 2008, 10:56 WST
More than 100 companies have expressed interest in joining a class action against the federal government over the collapse of Pan Pharmaceuticals in 2003. read full article
 
21st Aug 2008

Marcus Blackmore interview on 2GB

click here for window media audio file

 
20th Aug 2008

PAN PHARMACEUTICALS WINS $50M SETTLEMENT 

Otago Daily Times

20th August 08

Pan Pharmaceuticals wins $50m settlement.
THE founder of Australian complementary medicine manufacturer, Pan Pharmaceuticals, which had its licence withdrawn by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2003, has received a record $A50 million (NZ$62.3 million) compensation payout from the Federal Government. read PDF

 
20th May 2008

Pan Pharmaceuticals decision to have major repercussions

Watching Brief is a regular publication from Russell McVeagh on developments in public law and policy of interest to New Zealand business.

In 2003 the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration ordered the recall of 1600 products manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals and cancelled its licence to operate. Similar action followed in New Zealand and in short order Pan, a $300 million plus company, collapsed.
Claiming a breach of a duty of care and abuse of power, Pan's founder Jim Selim sued the TGA for AUD $234 million. read full article

 
20th Aug 2008

Drug body's bitter pill

Susannah Moran | August 20, 2008
IN late April 2003, days after the Therapeutic Goods Administration ordered the world's biggest recall of complementary medicines, consumers were busily throwing out their bottles of Pan Pharmaceuticals' vitamins and packets of pain relievers and pharmacists were clearing their shelves.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24209101-23289,00.html

 
18th Aug 2008

Rudd: Corporate Terrorism Inquiry Needed

Tuesday, 19 August 2008, 10:15 am
Press Release: Ron Law, Risk & Policy Analyst

"Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must initiate a formal inquiry into the the Australian Therapeutic Goods Agency's (TGA) use of fraud and lies to justify its 2003 corporate terror raid on Pan Pharmaceuticals and the wider natural and traditional healthcare product industry," says risk & policy analyst Ron Law.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0808/S00234.htm

 
18th Aug 2008

TGA’s ‘vengeful’ action sees record $50 million
payout by Australian Government

The Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) which wants to take control of New Zealand’s natural health products sector has been found guilty of destroying a multi-million dollar business illegally – seeing 400 jobs and $350 million of shareholders funds lost.

Jim Selim, the founder of Pan Pharmaceuticals, has been awarded a record $50 million payout in the Australian courts plus costs of $5 million from the Federal Government.

The shocking judgment found the Australian regulatory agency illegally persecuted Pan Pharmaceuticals and after closing it down officials shredded documents which said there was not enough evidence to close it.

New Zealand Health Trust spokesman Dave Sloan said New Zealand had only narrowly escaped being subject to the same regime.

Annette King signed up for the new even more powerful TGA and tried to push legislation through parliament despite multi-party opposition. Mr Sloan said New Zealand businesses had known for years how bad the system was in Australia, and were terrified Government would drag the local industry into it.

“The judgement out of Australia shows the industry’s fears were completely justified.  The transcripts paint a picture of an organisation which is totally out of control and we want no part of it.”

“Thank goodness for the Health Select Committee and the support the industry has had from National, The Green Party, The Maori Party, United Future and New Zealand First, Mr Sloan said.”

“The industry has been forced to fight for more than five years to stop the Government feeding us to the lions of the TGA at a cost of millions of dollars.  Surely now it is time for the Government to put the ill-conceived joint-agency plan to rest once and for all.”
ENDS
For further information contact

Dave Sloan, New Zealand Health Trust, 03 3519807
 
18th Aug 2008

Companies line up to sue TGA

Posted 18 August 2008
Companies affected by the 2003 recall of Pan-manufactured products and the subsequent collapse of the company are already talking up plans to sue the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for compensation in the wake of last week''s payout to Pan founder Jim Selim. read PDF

 
18th Aug 2008

TGA and Pan - has anything changed in five years?

18th August 2008
It is rare, in fact almost unheard-of, to gain so revealing a glimpse inside the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as that provided by the cross examination of its staff in the Selim case, but how concerned should industry be about what their evidence revealed? Read PDF
 
18th Aug 2008

Australian regulator pays Pan $55m after recall rethink

By Shane Starling
18-Aug-2008 -

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will pay $55 million (€32.58m) to liquidated supplements manufacturer Pan Pharmaceuticals after inappropriately recalling the company’s entire 1600-product suite in 2003. read full article

 
16th Aug 2008

Pan class action to follow payout

The Australian
Susannah Moran | August 16, 2008
A CLASS action against the federal Government is set to be launched next week after the $55million payout to Pan Pharmaceuticals founder Jim Selim. read full article
 
15th Aug 2008

Health regulators in shock over result

Mark Metherell
August 15, 2008
A $50 million Commonwealth payout over its pursuit of Pan Pharmaceuticals has jolted health regulators and shocked Trish Worth, the woman who had political responsibility for the Therapeutic Goods Administration at the time. read full article


Legal therapy gets Pan founder Jim Selim $55m

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24183640-23289,00.html


Collateral victims considering legal action

The Australian - Friday 15 August
Teresa Ooi and Lex Hall | August 15, 2008
BUSINESSES that lost money after the Pan Pharmaceuticals 2003 recall yesterday labelled the Therapeutic Goods Administration's response to the crisis a "massive overreaction", and many were considering legal action against the Government. read full article

 
14th Aug 2008

ABC “The 7.30 Report” 14 August 08
Pan pharmaceuticals CEO awarded $55m settlement

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 14/08/2008
Reporter: Thea Dikeos

It was the biggest drug recall in Australian history and led to the collapse of Pan Pharmaceuticals, the country's largest manufacturer of complementary medicines. The founder and CEO Jim Selim has always maintained the Therapeutic Goods Administration abused its power and five years on the Federal Government has agreed to a record settlement of $55 million.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2335753.htm

Video

Pan pharmaceuticals CEO awarded $55m settlement

Windows Media Broadband Dial-up
Real Player Broadband Dial-up
 
14th Aug 2008

Statement from the very courageous Mr Jim Selim

read pdf


News Release from Mr Selim's Legal advisor, Mr Andrew Thorpe of McLachlan Thorpe

read pdf


Massive payout to Pan Pharmaceuticals

The World Today - Thursday, 14 August , 2008  12:16:00
Reporter: Phillipa McDonald
ELEANOR HALL: The biggest drug recall in Australian history has today led to a massive payout by the Federal Government.
The former head of Pan Pharmaceuticals, Jim Selim, has won $50-million in damages and an extra $5-million for legal costs in his case against the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Five years ago his company collapsed when the TGA suspended its licence and ordered the immediate recall of 219 of its products. read full story

Govt rejects Selim's call for TGA inquiry

The Federal Government says it welcomes the resolution of a long-running legal dispute with Pan Pharmaceuticals, however it has rejected calls for an inquiry from the company's founder.The former head of the company, Jim Selim has received $55 million in damages and legal costs in a landmark settlement with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Mr Selim claimed the TGA was negligent in recalling the travel sickness Travacalm which lead to the company's collapse. He sued the administration for $200 million, the company's value when it collapsed.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/14/2335641.htm?site=sydney


Pan Pharmaceuticals boss to get compo

The commonwealth government will pay $55 million to the boss of a collapsed pharmaceutical company in a landmark Federal Court settlement linked to Australia's largest medication recall.
http://news.smh.com.au/national/pan-pharmaceuticals-boss-to-get-compo-20080814-3vdf.html


Selim wins $50m payout

The founder of Pan Pharmaceuticals, the company which had its licence withdrawn by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2003, has received a record $50 million payout from the Federal Government.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/selim-wins-50m-payout/2008/08/14/1218307073536.html

 

10th July 2008

12 Babies Die During Vaccine Trials in Argentina.

How many children must die before the insane practice of unnecessary vaccinations is stopped?
Click here for story

 
13th May 2008

FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
A very enterprising independent film producer & supporter of Save Our
Supplements Ireland has released a very effective & watchable video about the
Food Supplements Directive: this can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JOBY0KDERY

In the words of the video, "Is it fair or
logical that we have the choice to destroy our own health and be a burden on the
health service by smoking, binge drinking and eating fatty foods, but we don't
have the choice to stay healthy by supplementing our diet with vitamins?"

 
17th Apl 2008

GENERATION RX

Common Radius Films is a private documentary and media development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. GENERATION RX marks the first film partnership between the company and international award-winning writer/producer/director Kevin P. Miller. This film explores how children have been caught in the middle of an unprecedented change in Western culture: that of drugging children with psychiatric medications earlier — and more often than ever before.

GENERATION RX has already garnered the support of some of the most respected names in Hollywood, including writer/director Paul Haggis, who won back-to-back Academy Awards for "Million Dollar Baby," and "Crash." GENERATION RX, Mr. Haggis said, "is a powerful and often chilling eye-opener. Weeks after viewing, the stories continue to haunt me."

GENERATION RX is scheduled for release in 2008.

 
11th Mar 2008
RNZ NTN: Drug Companies Concealing Negative Data
Medical professionals from NZ and the UK discuss the possibility and ramifications.
File Size:11.3MB
Date: (Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:08:00 +1300
 
5th Mar 2008

Radio NewZealand 9:08 am

Natural Health Practioners Under Fire from Medsafe
Medsafe crackdown on alternative practitioners for breaching medicines act. (duration: 21′32″)

 
 

Please click here to join our list to receive our Newsletter

We encourage you to join our mailing list so you can be kept informed.
You can unsubscribe at any time and we never share your information with any one. You will likely receive one email per month unless there is an urgent message to convey. We hope you will enjoy the Newsletter - Thank you!

Print This Page    

 
  2006 news archives | 2005 news archives |