University of Westminster: FOIA Request

Here are the details of my Freedom of Information request following on from my recent posts about the University’s research into detox body wraps:

Unprincipled Healthcare: Part Two

Following on from my recent post about vitamin pill entrepeneurs Principle Healthcare, I bring you details of a letter I wrote to the authorities regarding the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Some of the claims made on the website I have been investigating are staggering.

Unprincipled Healthcare: Part 1

Vitamin pill entrepeneurs Principle Healthcare promote several herbal remedies on their website. Two of the remedies they sell are sometimes sold under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 as unlicensed herbal remedies (under section 12(1) of the act, remedies not industrially produced may be exempt from the normal requirements for a medicine to hold a product licence or marketing authorisation, under section 12(2) of the act, manufactured unlicensed herbal remedies that are sold as over-the-counter products may be exempt from licensing requirements if they have no brand name and no claims). The industrially produced herbal remedies sold by Principle Healthcare are being promoted on their website via the use of medicinal claims.

Excess Woo – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle?

Far too much energy is being expended on producing and consuming the bullshit of the counterknowledge industry: nutritionism, homeopathy, and the various forms of energy medicine that rely on vitalism being prime examples of this industry. Worthless remedies are produced, and worthless books and pamphlets are published. 

Chiropractic Dirty Tricks. What of the Repercussions?

I was saddened to note recently the response that the blogger Zeno had, following his complaints to the General Chirorpactic Council (GCC). Detailed in full in this post, it seems that a chiropractor (or, worse, possibly even someone who is an employee of the GCC) has signed Zeno up to various catalogues and websites.

Ignoreland: A Refusal To Engage

I’ve been attempting to communicate with various people and institutions recently and I’ve been having a little trouble. I don’t seem to be getting responses to my emails. Let’s see if we can figure out where I’ve been going wrong.

GCC and the Privy Council

Having read on David Colquhoun’s blog that the GCC wanted to “waive the rules” regarding complaints, I noted a suggestion that those not in favour of the GCC doing so contact the Privy Council. I did so, concentrating on my opinion of the GCC’s ability to provide accurate and meaningful definitions. Since then, I have received an email – and noticed a relevant post by a chiropractic blogger.

Man Bites Dog! Or: Daily Mail Manage Fairly Accurate Headline. Eventually.

I complained to the Daily Mail some time ago about some misleading headlines. They failed to respond. I then complained to the PCC.

Are Multivitamin Users Younger?

Patrick Holford thinks so. Let’s see what evidence he uses as the basis for this assertion.

Deflecting Criticism: The Well-Meaning Defence

I’ve noticed that, on occasion, criticism of the views, policies, or recommendations of individuals or organisations elicits the response that the individual or group being criticised is “well-meaning”, “sensitive” or “nice”, or even “sincere” and the suggestion that perhaps they should not be the subject of criticism.