Dying For Drugs

This script provides information on campaigning organisations and on those providing support for some of the issues in the programme Dying For Drugs.

Dying for Drugs showed a very disturbing picture of exploitation in drug research and testing. Drugs used in the UK have to undergo extensive testing before being made available for patient use. This testing is carried out under strict regulations and according to agreed ethical policies that protect all patients and general public taking part in such research. You can find information on the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) at www.corec.org.uk which also contains a summary of the Department of Health Research Governance. These regulations apply throughout the UK.

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international medical organisation providing free medical assistance to the most vulnerable people in 85 countries around the world. MSF also campaigns to highlight the plight of the people they help, and have been successful in campaigning to improve access to essential medicines. To find out more about their work in this area go to their website at www.accessmed-msf.org. For information about their work generally check out www.uk.msf.org or call 0207 404 6600 (office hours).

Oxfam is a development, relief, and campaigning organisation dedicated to finding lasting solutions to poverty and suffering around the world. They have been campaigning heavily to cut the cost of essential medicines. A briefing paper 'Priced Out of Reach' is available from 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DZ or their website www.oxfam.org.uk.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the United Nations agency with responsibility for health. The objective of WHO is to help the worlds population attain the highest possible level of health. The WHO policy on essential medicines for all is fundamental in achieving this aim, you can check it out at www.who.int/medicines.

There's information, services and support for anyone concerned about HIV/AIDs at THT Direct. Call their local rate number on 0845 1221 200 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-10pm, weekends 12pm-6pm). You can also visit their website at www.tht.org.uk.

The Cancer Information Service is a free helpline staffed by specialist cancer nurses. They provide information and support to anyone affected by cancer and leukaemia. Call 0808 800 1234 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-7pm) or check out their website at www.cancerbacup.org.uk.

The UK Thalassaemia Society (UKTS) informs the public about Thalassaemia and the problems it may cause. They can also offer counselling and support to Thalassaemia patients and their care givers. You can call 0208 882 0011 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm) or send an e-mail to office@ukts.org or check out their website at www.ukts.org.

Cruse Bereavement Care support all bereaved people. They offer advice, support, help and information, no matter how recently or long ago you were bereaved. To find out about all the Cruse services, call their helpline on 0870 167 1677 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm). Or you can visit their website at www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk.

You can find a resources list containing links to many pharmaceutical companies and health organisations at www.channel4.com/health/microsites/D/dying_for_drugs/index.html.

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