Comments on: Astroturfing & Consumer Advocacy Down Under http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/astroturfing-consumer-advocacy-down-under/ News, Comment and Conversation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:49:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Salmon http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/astroturfing-consumer-advocacy-down-under/#comment-382086 Salmon Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:08:23 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=17721#comment-382086 Meg, Although NAMI is certainly well known as largely coopted by the pharmaceutical industry, virtually every other mental health patient advocacy organization is too. For example CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), BDSA (Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance) as well as many others. I have even witnessed small guerilla type patient web sights slowly change over time to accept industry money. Unfortunately, there are many antipsychiatry groups who believe to various degrees that these aren't real diseases nor that any drugs actually work. The truth as usual lies in the middle. I really don't know of any good place to get information about drugs and diseases. Sites and groups I would recommend are AHRP and PsychRights and even MindFreedom. AHRP tries to advocate for oversight, PsychRights for legal Protections, and the reason I include MindFreedom although many of their associated groups are more against drugs than I am is because they believe in individual choice regarding drugs. Meg,

Although NAMI is certainly well known as largely coopted by the pharmaceutical industry, virtually every other mental health patient advocacy organization is too. For example CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), BDSA (Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance) as well as many others. I have even witnessed small guerilla type patient web sights slowly change over time to accept industry money.

Unfortunately, there are many antipsychiatry groups who believe to various degrees that these aren’t real diseases nor that any drugs actually work.

The truth as usual lies in the middle. I really don’t know of any good place to get information about drugs and diseases. Sites and groups I would recommend are AHRP and PsychRights and even MindFreedom. AHRP tries to advocate for oversight, PsychRights for legal Protections, and the reason I include MindFreedom although many of their associated groups are more against drugs than I am is because they believe in individual choice regarding drugs.

]]> By: Meg http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/astroturfing-consumer-advocacy-down-under/#comment-382073 Meg Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:50:46 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=17721#comment-382073 The woman you highlight in the story may be taking lessons from NAMI. They are quick to point out, if asked, that they get SOME of their money from places other than PHARMA. Usually, they just try to avoid the topic. The woman you highlight in the story may be taking lessons from NAMI. They are quick to point out, if asked, that they get SOME of their money from places other than PHARMA. Usually, they just try to avoid the topic.

]]> By: Ed Silverman http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/astroturfing-consumer-advocacy-down-under/#comment-381972 Ed Silverman Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:51:34 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=17721#comment-381972 Hi Robyn, Whoops. Sorry about that, but its clarified now. Thanks for pointing it out. Regards ed Hi Robyn,

Whoops. Sorry about that, but its clarified now. Thanks for pointing it out.

Regards
ed

]]> By: Robyn Clothier http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/astroturfing-consumer-advocacy-down-under/#comment-381962 Robyn Clothier Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:32:05 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=17721#comment-381962 Thanks for this coverage, Ed, but one small correction is needed. Healthy Skepticism is not a consumer group either. Though it is not a requirement, our members are predominantly health professionals. Robyn Clothier Administrative assistant Healthy Skepticism Inc. Thanks for this coverage, Ed, but one small correction is needed. Healthy Skepticism is not a consumer group either. Though it is not a requirement, our members are predominantly health professionals.

Robyn Clothier
Administrative assistant
Healthy Skepticism Inc.

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