Hi everyone
I watched a documentary on the use of thalidomide just a short while ago.
>From memory it was made in the UK and certainly did look at the
re-licencing of thalidomide in various countries around the world. I was
under the impression that it could be used in Australia for cancer
treatment? Does anyone know? The documentary examined some cases of a rare
immuno suppression illness in Jerusalem in the 70s. The illness caused
very painful full body blistering and the thalidomide worked to remedy the
blistering virtually overnight. The drug was being manufactured in Brazil
for this and there has been a vew wave of thalidomide affected children
through black market selling of the drug in the shanty areas of Brazil.
The documentary also showed a woman who used the drug for Beche's disease
(chronic ulceration of the mouth and genitals). The drug was very
successful although she had a scare when she went off the drug to conceive
and then started using it again at 7 months due to the complexity of advise
and opinion she recieved at the time. Another case showed a man who was
affected by thalidomide and had a daughter who had very similar
characteristics. The medicos said this was virtually impossible to inherit
the effects of thalidomide. It appears that this man, because his mother
was taking thalidomide at the time and he was born at 'that' time, was
assumed to have been affected by thalidomide and is still legally so. The
implications for his daughter are now of course numerous in regard to her
wanting her own family. The 'breaking of the news' was actually filmed.
At 02:29 PM 5/28/99 +0100, you wrote:
>Dear All,
>I am a new member on the list, and have been viewing the messages for the
>past fortnight. The information has been stimulating, intellectual and
>interesting - Thank you.
>
>My own specific areas of interest are 'Disability Equality Training' and
>'Thalidomide'.
>I am a disabled person. My impairment was caused by the drug Thalidomide.
>
>I am in the process of gathering information for a TV documentary which I
>hope to be presenting for BBC (Wales) or Channel 4. Subject being the
>'re-licensing of the drug thalidomide in Great Britain'.
>
>Thalidomide has been re-licensed in the USA & Canada, I have it on 'Good
>Authority' that it is likely to be re-licensed in GB within two years'. I
>strongly feel that the public over here needs to be aware of the ever
>increasing use of 'Thalidomide' for 'research purposes'. Also, that we need
>to keep monitoring the situation, before it slips through the back door and
>is licensed here before we have had any chance of discussion; consultation
>or information etc. with the Government, Drug Companies and Doctors.
>
>Just to set the record straight, I personally am not opposed to Thalidomide
>being given to patients, as a last resort or when all other avenues have
>failed. However, I am very concerned about the procedures and ad hoc
>guidelines used in its administration in GB(Doctors set their own guidelines
>and rely on the patients good-will). There is an accident out there waiting
>to happen! Unless, like TVAC we ('Thalidomide people' & our allies) are
>involved, consulted and informed.
>
>I regularly check the TVAC & other web sites, but information on the
>situation is hard to come-by. So, if you hear anything about Thalidomide
>particularly with a UK link, if you know of any research or web sites worth
>visiting, I should be grateful if you would let me know.
>
>Thank you in advance.
>
>Rosie.
>
>Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds BSc (Hons)
>RMS - Freelance Journalist & Disability Issues Consultant
>e-mail [log in to unmask]
>Web Site http://www.rms-cons.demon.co.uk
>
>
>
With best regards
Laurence Bathurst
University of Sydney
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
East Street (P.O. Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph+ 61 2 9351 9509
Fax+ 61 2 9351 9166
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Note: This is the e-mail address for my home as well
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There is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is
serious.
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