Plane poison probe

Cabined, confined,  contaminated

It’s progress on recognising that there is a problem. But it’s no solution. As my posting of April 20th 2008 said my efforts over the past three years to expose the poisoned air on planes have been politely acknowledged but no remedial action has been taken.

Many of the professionals are extremely worried. Some hold back because they do not want to damage their own industry.  80 MPs signed up to EDM 1316 Contaminated Air on Commercial Aircraft that I tabled in January 2006. The last I want to do is to add unnecessarily to the anxieties that plane passengers suffer. But the evidence of a hidden problem here was overwhelming.

The Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) is the leading organisation globally representing aircrew on regard to cabin air quality. They are pleased that the UK Government recognises there is an issue with aircraft air quality but believes action to protect the public is needed rather than further research.

They are not happy with the quality of the research. They question the independence of the researchers and the value of their methods. For the first time this worry has had serious national publicity.

That may be the spur that encourages the airlines into remedial action rather than perpetual research.

 Newport Boom

Good to be invited to talk on the Welsh language news this morning on a positive good news story.

Post Cyntaf highlighted the announcement of 1,800 jobs to Newport’s Celtic Springs site. This is the place where miracles happen. Already the Prison Service run their admin for all UK prison from here. EADS has the grand opening of their massive new building next month. Across the road Quinn radiators are flourishing with wonderful products deftly manufactured. Half of the jobs announced today are imports from Cardiff. The rest will be home grown here. Newport is the place to expand and grow tall.

The new Ryder Cup Golf Course at the Celtic Manor had its baptism of fog, rain and, even, some play today. It’s a brilliant asset for the city.

If more proof is required of Newport’s burgeoning self-confidence, St Woolos cathedral is now Newport Cathedral.  What more could any ardent Newportonian desire?

Collusion shame

The body that regulates our drugs (MHRA) met the Seroxat Users Group.

The lack of scrutiny of Seroxat by the regulator has been a slow burning scandal. Panorama did two wonderful exposes that exposed the MHRA as timid collaborators with the pharmaceutical industry that pays their wages.

A doctor, who I greatly respect, has commented on the transcript of the meeting.

“The MHRA has effectively colluded with scientific misconduct (and failed even to comment in any meaningful way on the most
serious misconduct) involving GlaxoSmithKline and others. They failed even to collect evidence relating to individual culpability before making their predictable pronouncements.

Scientific fraud affecting the welfare of our patients and the understanding (of us doctors) of the drugs we prescribe is, according to the MHRA just fine.

The MHRA and its employees should be ashamed, not bridling about angry patients. Don't trouble yourselves and waste time producing defensive rebuttals. Simply do your jobs honestly.

I am certainly ashamed for my profession. I sometimes wonder how some people sleep at night. “

In past parliamentary debates I have drawn attention to the powerful links between the MHRA and Big Pharma. Thier Chief Executive Brekenrridge is a former employee of Seroxat's manufacturer Glaxo Smith Kline. It’s time we had wholly independent regulation of our drugs so we can be protected against their lethal side effects