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
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.
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.
*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.
The company that released contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria confirmed Friday that the experimental product contained live H5N1 avian ...
Officials are trying to get to the bottom of how vaccine manufacturer Baxter International Inc. made "experimental virus material" based on a human flu ...
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
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
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. ...
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
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 ...
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,
...
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
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
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.
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
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 healthandbe 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."
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