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CUMIN – CUMINUM CYMINUM L
United States Dispensatory 1926 Part II
A Modern Herbal. Mrs M. Grieve. F.R.H.S.
Compiled by Ivor Hughes

U.S.D. 1926

Cumin. Cummin. Cuminum Ed. Cumin, Fr. Kreuzk?mmel, Mutterk?mmel, R?mischer (langer, scharfer) K?mmel, G. 

The so-called cumin seeds are the fruits of Cuminum Cyminum L., an annual umbelliferous plant, which is a native of Egypt, but is cultivated for its fruit in Sicily, Malta, and other Mediterranean countries.

The cumin fruits are oblong cremocarps of a light brown to yellowish-brown color from 5 to 6 mm. long and 1.5 mm. broad, the 2 mericarps of which are coherent. Bach mericarp has 5 prominent ribs and 4 broader secondary ones, each beset with fine hairs, as well as 6 oil-tubes (vitte). Their odor is peculiar, strong, and heavy; their taste warm, bitterish, aromatic, and disagreeable. They contain about 2.5 per cent, of an essential oil, which is yellowish, and has the sensible properties of the fruits.

It consists of three distinct oils, one a hydrocarbon, cymene, C₁₀H₁₄, recognized now as isopropyl-p-methyl-benzene, another cuminol, C₁₀H₁₂O, which may be regarded as cuminio aldehyde, C₁₀H₁₁OH, and the third a terpene, C₁₀H₁₆. Acymene identical with that of the oil of cummin seed can be prepared by dehydrating camphor or oil of turpentine. (A. J. P., xlvi, 117; see especially A. J. P., xliv, 452.) Cumin aldehyde has also, together with cymene, been obtained from the fruits of Cicuta virosa L. Trapp, Ann. Ch. Ph., cviii, 386; see also Schim. Rept., 1909, 49.) In medicinal properties cumin fruits resemble the other aromatic umbelliferous fruits.

Dose,

fifteen to thirty grains (1—2 Gm.).

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Mrs M. Grieve. F.R.H.S.

CUMIN Cuminum cyminum (LINN.)
N.O. Umbelliferae
Synonym. Cumino aigro (Malta)
Part Used. Fruit

Habitat. Cumin, besides being used medicinally, was in the Middle Ages one of the commonest spice of European growth. It is a small annual, herbaceous plant, indigenous to Upper Egypt, but from early times was cultivated in Arabia, India, China, and in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

Description. Its stem is slender and branched, rarely exceeding i foot in height and somewhat angular. The leaves are divided into long, narrow segments like Fennel, but much smaller and are of a deep green colour, generally turned back at the ends. The upper leaves are nearly stalkless, but the lower ones have longer leaf-stalks. The flowers are small, rose-coloured or white, in stalked umbels with only four to six rays, each of which are only about 1 inch long, and bloom in June and July, being succeeded by fruit – the so-called seeds – which constitute the Cumin of pharmacy. They are oblong in shape, thicker in the middle, compressed laterally about 5 inch long, resembling Caraway seeds, but lighter in colour and bristly instead of smooth, almost straight, instead of being curved. They have nine fine ridges, overlapping as many oil channels, or vines. The odour and taste are somewhat like caraway, but less agreeable.

History. Cumin is mentioned in Isaiah xxviii. 25 and 27, and Matthew xxiii. 23, and in the works of Hippocrates and Dioscorides. From Pliny we learn that the ancients took the ground seed medicinally with bread, water or wine, and that it was accounted the best of condiments. The seeds of the Cumin when smoked, were found to occasion pallor of the face, whence the expression of Horace, exsangue cuminum, and Pliny tells us that the followers of the celebrated rhetorician Porcius Latro employed it to produce a complexion such as bespeaks application to study.

Cumin also symbolized cupidity among the Greeks: Marcus Aurelius was so nicknamed because of his avarice, and misers were jocularly said to have eaten Cumin

in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, when it was much in use as a culinary spice.Cumin has now gone out of use in European medicine, having been replaced by Caraway seed, which has a more agreeable flavour, but it is still used to some extent in India, in native medicine. Its principal employment is in veterinary medicine and as an ingredient in curry powder, for which purposes it is imported from Bombay and Calcutta, Morocco, Sicily and Malta. It is commonly sold in Malta, where they call it cumino aigro (hot Cumin), to distinguish it from Anise, which they term cumino dulce, or sweet Cumin.

Cultivation. Although we get nearly all ” our supplies from the Mediterranean, it would be perfectly feasible to grow Cumin in England, as it will ripen its fruit as far north as Norway. It is, however, rarely cultivated here, and seeds are generally somewhat difficult to obtain. They should be sown in small pots, filled with light soil and plunged into a very moderate hot bed to bring up the plants. These should be hardened gradually in an open frame and transplanted into a warm border of good soil, preserving the balls of earth which adhere to the roots in the pots. Keep clean of weeds and the plants will flower very well and will probably perfect their seeds if the season should be warm and favourable. The plants are threshed when the fruit is ripe and the ‘seeds’ dried in the same manner as Caraway.

Constituents. The strong aromatic smell and warm, bitterish taste of Cumin fruits are due to the presence of a volatile oil which is separated by distillation of the fruit with water, and exists in the proportion of 2 to 4 per cent. It is limpid and pale yellow in colour, and is mainly a mixture of cymol or cymene and cuminic aldehyde, or cyminol, which is its chief constituent. The tissue of the fruits contains a fatty oil with resin, mucilage and gum, malates and albuminous matter, and in the outer-seed coat there is much tannin. The yield of ash is about 8 per cent.

Medicinal Action and Uses. Stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative.

The older herbalists esteemed Cumin superior in comforting carminative qualities to Fennel or Caraway, but on account of its very disagreeable flavour, its medicinal use at the present day is almost confined to veterinary practice, in which it is employed as a carminative. Formerly Cumin had considerable repute as a corrective for the flatulency of languid digestion and as a remedy for colic and dyspeptic headache. Bruised and applied externally in the form of a plaster, it was recommended as a cure for stitches and pains in the side caused by the sluggish congestion of indolent parts, and it has been compounded with other drugs to form a stimulating liniment.

Bay-salt and Cumin-seeds mixed, is a universal remedy for the diseases of pigeons, especially scabby backs and breasts. The proportions of the remedy are: ? lb. Bay-salt, ? lb. Common Salt, 1 lb. Fennel-seeds, 1 lb. Dill-seeds, 1 lb. Cumin-seeds, 1 oz. Assafoetida; mix all with a little wheaten flour and some fine-worked clay; when all are well beaten together, put into two earthen pots and bake them in the oven. When cold, put them on the table in the dove-cote; the pigeons will eat it and thus be cured

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Gentian and Other Bitters
Martindale’s 24^th Part 1
Compiled and Edited by Ivor Hughes

Gentian (B.P.)
Gentian Root; Enzianwurzl; Raiz de genciana.
Dose: 0.6 to 2g. (10 to 30 grains)

The dried fermented rhizome and root of Gentiana lutea (Gentianaceae), containing not less than 33% of water soluble extractive. Incompatible with iron salts. Store in a dry place.

Foreign Pharmacopoeias.
In all pharmacopoeias examined except Ind., Mex., and U.S., but in U.S.N.F.
Ger., Nor., and Swed. allow also other species of Gentiana.
Jap, includes also Japanese Gentian, from
G. scabra, which may be used in place of Gentian.
Gentian (Ind. P.C.) is Indian Gentian from G. kurroo.

Uses. Gentian is a bitter and is used to stimulate gastric secretion and improve the appetite. It should be given from half to one hour before meals. It is usually administered as the compound infusion or compound tincture.

Elixir
Glycerinated Gentian Elixir (U.S.N.F.).
Gentian fluidextract 1 ml., taraxacum fluidextract 1.5 nil., compound cardamom tincture 6 ml., raspberry syrup 6 ml., sweet orange peel tincture 1.5 ml., phosphoric acid 0.5 ml., ethyl acetate 0.1 ml., glycerin 40 ml., sucrose 20 g., alcohol 10 ml., water to 100 ml. It is used as a vehicle for other drugs.

Extracts
Extract of Gentian (B.P.C.). Ext. Gent.
A soft aqueous extract prepared by maceration and subsequent evaporation of the menstruum.
It is used as a pill excipient. Store in a cool place.
Dose: 120 to 500 mg. (2 to 8 grains).
Several foreign pharmacopoeias include a similar extract, some using dilute alcohol as the menstruum. Cz. P., Jug. P., and Swiss P. have a dried extract.

Gentian Fluidextract (U.S.N.F.).
A 1 in 1 liquid extract prepared by maceration and percolation with a mixture of equal volumes of alcohol and water. Usual dose 1 ml. (15 minims).

Infusions
Compound Infusion of Gentian (B.P.). Inf. Gent. Co.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 12.5 ml., water to 100 ml. It should be used within 12 hours of preparation.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Concentrated Compound Infusion of Gentian (B.P.). Inf. Gent. Co. Conc.
Prepared by macerating gentian, dried bitter orange peel, and dried lemon peel, about 10% of each, with alcohol (25%).
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims).

Inf. Gent. Co. Rec. (B.P.C. 1949). Fresh Compound Infusion of Gentian.
Gentian 1. 25 g., dried bitter orange peel 1.25 g., dried lemon peel 1.25 g„ and boiling water 100 g. Infused in a covered vessel for 15 minutes and strained.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Mixtures
Acid Mixture of Gentian (B.P.C.). ‘Mist. Gent. Acid. (B.N.F.).
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 30 m., dilute hydrochloric acid 10 m., chloroform water to 112 fl. oz.
Dose: 15 to 30 mil. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Acid Mixture of Gentian with Nux Vomica (B.P.C.). Mist. Gent. Acid. c. Nuc. Vom.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 30 m., dilute hydrochloric sad 10 m., tincture of nux vomica 10 m., chloroform water to 0.5 fluid oz.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Alkaline Mixture of Gentian (B.P.C.). Mist. Gent. Alk. (B.N.F.); Mist. Gent. c Soda.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 30 m, sodium bicarbonate 10 gr, chloroform water 0.5 fl. oz.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0. 2 to 1 fl. oz.).
Precipitation. A precipitate may form if tap water is used in the preparation of the chloroform water. Removal of the precipitate would result in a loss equivalent to about 1.1% of the total sodium bicarbonate in the mixture, if very hard water (30° permanent hardness) had been used.
For London tap water (about 6° permanent hardness) the loss would be about 0.22%.
Pharm. Soc. Lab. Rep., Pharm. J., i/1956,383.

Alkaline Mixture of Gentian with Nux Vomica (B.P.C.). Mist. Gent. Alk;, c. Nuc. Vom.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 30 m., sodium bicarbonate 10 gr., tincture of nux vomica 10 m., chloroform water to 0.5 fl. oz.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Mist Gent Acid pro Infant (BPC 1949). Acid Mixture of Gentian for Infants; Mist Acid Amar pro Infant.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 4 m., dilute hydrochloric acid 11/4 m., chloroform water to 60 m.
Dose: 4 to 8 ml (60 to 120 minims).

Mist. Gent. Alk. c. Phenobarb. (B.N.F.). Gentian and Alkali Mixture with Phenobarbitone; Mist. Gent. Alk. Sed.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 30 m., Phenobarbitone sodium 1/4 gr., sodium bicarbonate 10 gr., chloroform water to 0.5 fl. oz. It must be freshly prepared. The quantity to be dispensed and the dose must be stated by the prescriber.

Mist. Gent. Alk. pro Infant. (B.P.C. 1949). Alkaline Mixture of Gentian for Infants.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 4 m., sodium bicarbonate 2 gr., chloroform water to 60 m. Dose: 4 to 8 ml. (60 to 120 minims).

Mist.Gent. c. Rheo (B.P.C. 1949, B.N.F.). Mixture of Gentian with Rhubarb; Mist. Gent. Alk. c. Rheo.
Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 15 m., compound tincture of rhubarb 15 m., sodium bicarbonate 10 gr., peppermint water to 0.5 fl. oz.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Mist. Gent. c. Rheo (N.F. 1939) is the same as the above formula, but with concentrated infusion of rhubarb 15 m. in place of the compound tincture.

Mist. Gent. c. Rheo pro Infant. (B.P.C. 1949). Mixture of Gentian with Rhubarb for Infants. Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 2.5 m., compound tincture of rhubarb 2.5 m., sodium bicarbonate 2 gr., emulsion of peppermint 0.5 m., emulsion of chloroform 1 m., water to 60 m.

Dose: 4 to 8 ml. (60 to 120 minims)

Mist. Gent. c. Rheo pro Infant. (N.W.F. 1947). Concentrated compound infusion of gentian 2 m., infusion of rhubarb 15 m., sodium bicarbonate 2 gr., emulsion of peppermint 0.5 m., emulsion of chloroform 1 m., water to 60 m.

Dose; 4 ml. (60 minims).

Tinctures
Compound Tincture of Gentian (B.P. Egyp. P.). Tinct. Gent. Co.
Prepared by macerating, gentian 10 g., dried bitter orange peel 3.75 g., and cardamom seed 1.25 g, with alcohol (45%) 100 ml.
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims). U.S.N.F. is similar but has about 10% of glycerin. Several foreign pharmacopoeia’s , include a simple tincture (1 in 5).

Other Bitters.
Andrographis (B.P.C. 1949). Kalmegh (Ind. P.); Kiryat.
The dried entire plant (B.P.C. 1949) or the dried leaves (Ind. P.) of Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae). Ind. P. specifies not less than 1 % of a non nitrogenous bitter principle, andrographolide.
Uses. Andrographis usually in the form of a liquid extract, is employed in India as a bitter.
Liquid Extract of Kalmegh (Ind. P.). Ext. Kalm. Liq.; Liquid Extract of Andrographis.

An aqueous extract (about 1 in 2) prepared by boiling andrographis with water, concentrating the menstruum, and then adding the other ingredients. It contains 2% v/v of fennel oil, 2% v/v of ajowan oil, 55 to 60% of alcohol, and is adjusted to contain 0.5% w/v of andrographolide.
Dose: 0.5 to 1 ml. (8 to 15 minims)

Berberine Sulphate (B.P.C. 1949, Ind. P.)
Berberin. Sulph.; Berberine Acid Sulphate; Berberine Bisulphate. C₂₀H₁₉O₅N,H₂SO₄ = 451.5.
Dose: 60 to 300 mg. (1 to 5 grains).
The acid salt of berberine, an alkaloid present in hydrastis, in various species of Berberis, and in many other plants. It is mainly obtained from Berberis vulgaris and, in India, from B. aristata (Berberidaceae) and Coptis teeta (Ranunculaceae).
Bright yellow, odourless, acicular crystals or dark yellow powder with a bitter taste. Soluble 1 in 150 of water; slightly soluble in alcohol. Solutions are sterilised by autoclaving or by filtration.
Uses. It is given orally as a bitter. An injection of berberine sulphate is used in India in the treatment of oriental sore. It is injected subcutaneously around the margins of the lesion once a week; 2 to 5 injections usually cure.

Injection of Berberine Sulphate (Ind. P.). Inj. Berberin. Sulph.
A sterile solution in Water for Injection. Unless otherwise specified, a solution containing 20 mg, in 3 ml. is supplied.
Dose: By subcutaneous injection at various points around the sore

Calamus (B.P.C. 1934). Calam.; Calamus Rhizome; Sweet Flag Root; Acore Vrai; Kalmus.
Dose: 1 to 4 g. (15 to 60 grains).
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Cz., Ger., Hung., Jug., Nor., Pol., and Swiss. Also in Ind. P.C.
Pol. also includes the volatile oil.
The dried rhizome of the sweet flag, Acorus calamus (Araceae). It contains 1.5 to 3.5% v/w of a bitter, aromatic, volatile oil.
Uses. An aromatic bitter and carminative usually employed in the form of an infusion, 1 to 10 of boiling water; Dose: 15 to 30 ml. or tincture 1 in 5; Dose: 2 to 4 ml. The volatile oil is used in perfumery.

Calumba (B.P.C.). Calumb.; Calumba Root; Colombo.
Dose: 0.6 to 2 g. (10 to 30 grains).
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg., Egyp., Fr., Ger., Jap., Nor., Span., Swed., and Swiss.
The dried transverse or oblique slices of the root of Jateorhiza palmata (Menispermaceae), containing not less than 15% of water soluble extractive. Store in a dry place.
Uses. A simple bitter for use in atonic dyspepsia associated with hypochlorydria. It contains no tannin and can be given with salts of iron.

Inf. Calumb. (B.P. 1948). Infusion of Calumba.
Concentrated infusion of calumba 12.5 ml., water to 100 ml. It should be used within 12 hours of preparation.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Inf. Calumb. Conc. (B.P. 1948). Concentrated Infusion of Calumba.
An extract ( 1 in 2.5 ) prepared by macerating calumba with water. It contains 21 to 24% v/v of alcohol. Dose: 2 to 4 mil. (30 to 60 minims).

Inf. Calumb. Rec. (B.P. 1945). Fresh Infusion of Calumba.
Calumba 5g. and cold water 100 ml, infused in a covered vessel for half an hour and strained.
Dose: 15 to 30 mil. (0.5to 1 fl. oz.). It should be used within 12 hours of its preparation.

Tinct. Calumb. (B.P. 1948, Egyp. P.). Tincture of Calumba.
1 in 10; prepared by macerating with alcohol (60%).
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims). Fr and Span. P. have 1 in 5.
 

Cascarilla (B.P.C. 1949). Cascarilla Bark.
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Dan., Egyp., Nor.

The dried bark of Croton eluteria Euphorbiaceae containing not less than 1.5% v/w of volatile oil.

Powdered Cascarilla (B.P.C. 1949) contains not less than 1%, v/w of volatile oil. Store in a cool, dry place.

Uses. An aromatic bitter usually administered as an infusion or tincture. Cascarilla is also used in fumigating compounds on account of its aromatic odour while burning.

Inf. Cascaril. Conc. (B.P.C. 1934).
Concentrated Infusion of Cascarilla.
About 1 in 2.5 prepared by macerating with alcohol (25%).
Dose: 2 to 4 mil. (30 to 60 minims).
Infusion of Cascarilla may be prepared by diluting the concentrated infusion with 7 times its volume of water.

Tinct. Cascaril. (B.P.C. 1949). Tincture of Cascarilla.
1 in 5; prepared by percolating with alcohol (70%).
Dose: 2 to 4 mil (30 to 60 minims).

Chirata (B.P.C. 1949, Ind. P.). Chirat.; Chirayta; Chiretta; East Indian Balmony.

Dose: 0.3 to 2 g. (5 to 30 grains).
The Plant Swertia chirata (Gentianaceae) collected when in flower and dried.
Uses. A simple bitter. It is usually administered as a concentrated in-fusion or as a tincture, either of which may be prescribed with iron since they are free from tannin.

Compound Infusion of Chirata (Ind. P.). Inf. Chirat. Co.
Concentrated compound infusion of chirata 12.5 ml., water to 100 ml. It should be used within 12 hours of its preparation.
Dose: 15 to 30 ml. (0.5 to 1 fl. oz.).

Concentrated Compound Infusion of Chirata (Ind. P.).
Prepared from chirata 10 g., dried orange peel 10 g., lemon peel 20 g., and alcohol (25%) 120 ml., by maceration.
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims).
Inf. Chirat. Conc. (B.P.C. 1949). Concentrated Infusion of Chiretta.
Prepared by percolating chirata 40 g., with alcohol (25%) to 100 ml.
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims).

Tinct. Chirat. (B.P.C. 1934). Tincture of Chirata.
Prepared by percolating chirata 10 g. with alcohol (60%) to 100 ml.
Dose: 2 to 4 ml. (30 to 60 minims).
Ind. P. includes a compound tincture (about 1 in 10) with dried orange peel wool cardamom, prepared by maceration with alcohol (45%).

Condurango (B.P.C. 1934). Conduran.; Condurango Bark; Eagle vine Bark.
Dose: 1 to 4 g. (15 to 60 grains).
Foreign Pharmacopoeias: In Belg., Dan., Fr., Ger., Jap., Nor., Span., Sired, and Swiss.
The dried stem-bark of Marsdenia condurango (= Gonolobus condurango) (Asclepiadaceae). It contains a poisonous glycoside, or mixture of glycosides known as condurangin.
Uses. It has been used as an aromatic bitter and gastric sedative in the form of a liquid alcoholic extract (1 in 1)
Dose: 0.6 to 4 ml., and as a wine (1 of liquid extract in 10 of detannated sherry) Dose: 15 to 30 ml.

Forward to Part 2. The Bitters : Martindale’s 24th

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Homeopathy

Science in Society 15.
Homeopathy is increasingly in demand
as it’s health benefits are generally
acknowledged. The public sector
is responding, slowly. Sam Burcher Reports
 

A two year study of 500 patients at the Royal  Libraryopathic Hospital in London showed that 29% of patients taking  conventional prescription medicine when first attending had been able to stop, and 32% able to reduce their medication.        

The patients at this hospital have chronic illnesses, either not responding to conventional treatment, or caused by conventional medicine (iotrogenic disease). Data from systematic surveys show an improvement of 81% after treatment. At another Libraryopathic center, members of another study group were asked to rate their general health after a years’ attendance, and 73.5% reported a marked or moderate improvement in their health status. Improvement was significantly higher in those who were satisfied with the level of care received, in females, in children and those who completed the course of therapy. The study concludes that Libraryopathy seems to meet patients’ needs in primary health        care where conditions are non life threatening.     

In the United States over the last ten years, the number of consultations in complementary medicine has exceeded those in orthodox primary care: 425m compared to 388m. In Europe, between 15% and 58% of the population make additional or alternative use of Libraryopathy to supplement general  treatment.  

Rising costs have prompted patients to demand political decision-makers, and care-providing institutions to foot the bill for complementary medicine and Libraryopathic treatments. A study showed that 60% of the German population would use complementary medicine provided that the state or health insurance paid for the treatment.  

In contrast, politicians and health insurers adopt a more cautious stance toward financing complementary medicine, and those within the public health sector point to their lack of financial clout. In the UK, even though the Royal Libraryopathic Hospital has established it’s treatments to be effective, only 0.8%, equaling 80 pence in each Pound  Sterling 1000, goes to funding research in complementary medicine on the NHS.     
  

To make matters worse, current research is restricted because of the large number of patients available for clinical trials within the NHS are not being referred for Libraryopathic treatment. This could change now that the Libraryopathic Hospital is joining the University College Hospital Group (NHS Trust).
 

Professor David Fish, Medical Director of Specialist Hospitals at UCLH comments enthusiastically on the merger, “Integration should be of real benefit to patients – better opportunities for collaborative research to identify which treatments are most effective  for which groups of patients.

The Libraryopathic Hospital already offers a range of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, phyto therapy (herbal treatment for depression), and manipulative medicine. He believes the best way to secure more support and funding for these therapies within the NHS is to enhance the evidence base and demonstrate the benefits of patient choice.
 

Libraryopathy in Public Health *World Health Forum stated,        
 

“Libraryopathy is well suited for use in rural areas  where the infrastructure, equipment, and drugs needed for conventional medicine cannot be provided.” There are currently 120 Libraryopathic medicine schools in India, nineteen of which are maintained by the state, most are affiliated with universities. It is estimated that there are 100,000 Libraryopathic practitioners. Libraryopathic medicines are non toxic, have no known adverse side effects and can be combined with conventional  medicines. They can be accessed on the NHS through the general practitioners, or other primary or secondary health care professionals. It is intolerable that Libraryopathy and complementary medicine are still starved of investment for research and development, while prescription drugs are poisoning patients and fattening the pharmaceutical industry.       

Tainted Drugs Poison Patients and Fatten Pharmas    
 

According to the latest figures released by the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation (USA) spending on prescription drugs soared by 17% in 2001. Drugs retail had netted a total of $155 billion, almost double than 1997. Big consumers are the elderly  who succumb to “direct to consumer” advertising campaigns featuring anti-arthritics, anti-depressants, anti ulcer medications and cholesterol; lowering agents. Strict rules have now been agreed upon by editors of medical journals whose reporting, sponsorship and commercial influences have come into question.

A study published in JAMA in February 2002 found that 90% of authors writing for medical publications received research funding or acted as consultants to drug companies. Over 50% were connected with companies whose drugs being reviewed were amongst the top-selling prescription drugs. The BMJ exposed the American Heart Association acceptance of $1 million donation from Genetec, producer of thromolytic drugs (for stroke cases) whilst recommending it in their Guidance for Stroke Management 2000. Combining  research and commercial gain is “poison for patient care”, an investigation by The Seattle Times shows. Reports by the paper last year reveal that experiments with Biotech products at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre were completed because of direct financial interest. It’s alleged that patients were uninformed of other patients’ deaths during  trials and that safer alternatives were available, but not used. The allegations are denied.

The new rules issued by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors state “Editors who make final decisions about manuscripts must have no personal, professional or financial involvement in any of the issues they might judge”. Subsequently, the editor of the British Journal of Psychiatry changed his mind about publishing a paper favoring a drug manufactured by a company sponsoring him to the tune of Pound Sterling 20,000 annually. He also excluded himself from making any further decisions on work relating to the sponsors. The Lancet’s policy is that editors should sever ties with such companies when taking up their posts. Corruption is rampant in conventional medicine. Meanwhile, safe, natural, affordable medicines, such as herbal and Libraryopathing remedies, are spurned by medical journals and health investors alike.           
 

Published by the institute of Science in Society
PO Box 32097
London NW1 OXR
http://www.i-sis.org.uk
ISSN 1477- 3430      

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