Arthroplex: instant relief for the wallet

You may have seen these pictures somewhere before. They featured in a recent magazine insert and have already been emailed to Ben Goldacre by an orthopaedic surgeon, who was

not currently aware of any oral medication that can reverse crippling deformity of severe hallux valgus to a normal foot in 61 days

I have one of the inserts on my desk as I type. The product in question is ‘Doctor’s Arthroplex®‘ – an apparently revolutionary, yet unlicensed product available in capsule and gel form and claimed to be recommended by health professionals. Such inserts have recently been slotted between the pages of My Weekly, the Caravan Club magazine, the Radio Times, Saga Magazine and Sporting Shooter.

Should you wish to say ‘no more!’ to joint pain, you are advised to order online (here), ring the Sales Team on 0845 658 5010 or send credit card details or cheque to an address in the Netherlands (Arthroplex. Eurowide Fulfilment, IBRS/CCRI, Numero 13011, Breda, 4800 VE, Netherlands).

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the product will arrive.

What can I do about Burzynski?

Like my Master List of Burzynski blogs, I expect to be updating this post regularly.

If you have any further suggestions for this article (for example, nominations of reputable cancer charities outside the UK or any new ideas), then please get in touch.

Donate

• Cancer Research UK
• Childhood cancer: searching for the genes behind the disease, Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• CLICSargent
• Marie Curie Cancer Care

Sense About Science launch Ask for Evidence campaign

Sense About Science is a charitable trust that works in partnership with scientific bodies, research publishers, policy makers, the public and the media. They aim to change public discussions about science and evidence and equip people to make sense of scientific and medical claims.

Their latest campaign, Ask For Evidence, backed by some high-profile performers, Professors and presenters, concerns an issue which is close to my heart: putting a stop to misleading claims about science and medicine.

Colloidal Silver and the Law. A summary and update.

As I first explained here, I have been trying to find out what the laws are regarding the sale and manufacture of colloidal silver products in the UK and how they may be implemented.

As I said in my last post, colloidal silver has never been licensed as a medicine, nor is it permitted in food supplements . I have since had further correspondence with the MHRA, the Advertising Standards Authority and my local Trading Standards office which I feel is worthy of note. I also feel I need to answer critics by explaining the reasons for my concern about colloidal silver and my recent actions.

Dear Trading Standards, I think colloidal silver is being sold illegally all over the place. Please help.

As previously discussed, I have been advised by the MHRA that colloidal silver is not a medicine (and that it is therefore illegal to sell it and make medicinal claims). I have also had clear instructions from the Department of Health that I should complain to Trading Standards if colloidal silver is sold as food or a food supplement.