Health before profit

Re Morning sickness drug ineffective: report, Jan. 18 The recent revelation that the morning sickness drug Diclectin is ineffective points out a glaring problem in Health Canada, namely that it is more concerned with the financial health of corporations than the physical and mental health of Canadians.

While it may be true that women have not suffered any adverse effects from taking Diclectin, it is also true that they have not received any positive effects from the drug. A placebo would be as safe and as effective as Diclectin, as would taking no drug. The only real beneficiary of Health Canada’s position is Duchesnay, the manufacturer.

Not only did Health Canada not bother to investigate the efficacy of Diclectin (as Dr. Nav Persaud did), the department took at face value a clinical study on the drug’s safety (financed by Duchesnay) and hid the results of that study. Think of the money that Duchesnay reaped during the 40 years that this drug was promoted. What a waste.

The culture within Health Canada that favours corporations must be changed. Its priorities must be altered to address the safety of a drug, the efficacy of that drug and the impact of that drug (or chemical) on the environment. No consideration should be placed on the profitability or reputation of a corporation.

Studies that are financed by corporations must be reviewed with skepticism. Greater emphasis should also be placed on studies and regulations from other governments. Dennis Choptiany, Toronto