Print

[Omegafant]

[*quote*]
Consumer Health Digest #17-32
August 20, 2017

Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D
http://www.quackwatch.org/10Bio/bio.html
,with help from William M. London, Ed.D., M.P.H
http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/william-m-london
It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and nonrecommended books; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. Its primary focus is on health, but occasionally it includes non-health scams and practical tips.

###
Manitoba reduces chiropractic coverage

Dynamic Chiropractic has reported that the Government of Manitoba has cut CN$4.8 million from its annual subsidy for chiropractic care and reduced the number of covered visits from 12 to 5 per year and the per-visit amount from CN$12.30 to CN$8.29.
[Manitoba cuts chiropractic
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/digital/index.php?i=1231&r=t#18
Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug 2017]

The report notes that Ontario delisted chiropractic in 2004 and Alberta did so in 2008, leaving Manitoba as the only Canadian province providing coverage for all residents. A Manitoba Chiropractic Association spokesperson said that the majority of Manitobans will still be able to access the care they need because 75% of patients are treated in seven visits or less.
[Gerster J. Gov't goes ahead with chiropractic cuts, reduces max annual visits
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/govt-goes-ahead-with-chiropractic-cuts-reduces-max-annual-visits-425799433.html
Winnipeg Free Press, June 1, 2017]

###
Top Russian scientists call homeopathy “dangerous pseudoscience"

The Russian Academy of Sciences has declared that homeopathy "has no scientific basis" and endangers people who believe it is effective. A memorandum issued by the Academy's Commission against Pseudoscience and Falsification of Scientific Research concluded that attempts to verify the success of homeopathic treatments had failed for over 200 years. Its report urged the media to present homeopathy as a pseudoscience on a par with magic, healing, and psychic practices.
[Dearden L. Russian Academy of Sciences says homeopathy is dangerous 'pseudoscience' that does not work
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-academy-of-sciences-homeopathy-treaments-pseudoscience-does-not-work-par-magic-a7566406.html
The Independent, Feb 7, 2017]

###
British chelationist facing serious charges

The UK General Medical Counsel is investigating Dr. David O'Connell's use of secretin and chelation therapy at his autism clinic.

[Chaplain C. Chelsea doctor suspended over claims he administered 'dangerous' autism treatment to children
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/chelsea-doctor-suspended-over-claims-he-administered-dangerous-autism-treatment-to-children-a3614221.html?amp
Evening Standard, Aug 17, 2017]

While the investigation is pending, he is barred from carrying out any consultations or treating any patient for autism-related matters, or providing online advice or information related to autism. The status of his case can be followed on the General Medical Council's Web site

http://webcache.gmc-uk.org/gmclrmp_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEBHWND=&_sn=-1O8nm-qHn-71jCXjbv8SxEqRiHKv98VzySM2LWp3OvW21BFwNscJLOfuqSgL9l7qM60LKjAfdEC0pzbxQEVeJygLVAG7rZuoYm-W5ZjuatzMkO.Wn8fnnCtwpjbBb-7Eb-T9ClJE7GNGn2tyaokSb7q1uVCb9OC.j56Bc35EcLHskFTIvB5Phe7auleJTAOU6A5vCam9dM_&SWEView=GMC+WEB+Doctor+Search&SRN=&SWEHo=webcache.gmc-uk.org&SWETS=1503256318&SWEApplet=GMC+WEB+Health+Provider+Search+Applet

by searching with his registry number (1394131) and following the links.

###
FTC warns against “NIH grant" scams

The FTC has reported that telephone scammers are pretending to be calling from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
[Miranda C. Scammers impersonate the National Institutes of Health
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/scammers-impersonate-national-institutes-health
FTC scam alert, Aug 17, 2017]
The callers tell people they have been selected to receive a $14,000 grant from the NIH, which they can get by paying a fee through an iTunes or Green Dot card, or by giving their bank account number.  The FTC Web site has 28 other health-related scam alerts
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/taxonomy/term/861

###

Other issues of the Digest are accessible through
http://www.ncahf.org/digest17/index.html
To help prevent the newsletter from being filtered out as spam, please add
bounces-chd@lists.quackwatch.org
to your address book or other "whitelist." To unsubscribe, log into your chd account or send a blank message to
chd-unsubscribe@lists.quackwatch.org
This must be sent from the address you used to subscribe. To subscribe from a new address, send a blank message to
chd-subscribe@lists.quackwatch.org

=================================

Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Consumer Advocate
287 Fearrington Post
Pittsboro, NC 27312

Telephone: (919) 533-6009

http://www.quackwatch.org (health fraud and quackery)
[*/quote*]