Comments on: Public hospital “guidelines” funded by drug maker

By: Embi

Embi — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I am pretty sure that a number of hospitals in Victoria, including Box Hill, are already routinely using this drug . I have no history of blood clots or related issues but during a stay I was given the injection each day. The nurse told me that all in-patients were given the drug to stop blood clots that can form in bed-ridden patients - I still got it even though I got out of bed and went for walks and physio each day.

By: Colin Jones

Colin Jones — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Now that is a nice cosy little relationship between the NSW Department of Health and a drug company.
Nice one and no disclosure either. No need to bother the punters with that one. Is anyone in NSW watching the government or are they all out watching football?

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Enoxaparin is widely used in SA for thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic inpatients. Heparin is an alternative. Deep vein thrombosis and the possibility of subsequent pulmonary embolism are very real risks of immobilisation. There is considerable concern amongst some orthopaedic surgeons that enoxaparin is implicated in wound breakdown and poor healing in lower limb surgery. Junior staff doctors do not know life without enoxaparin and therefore are not able to identify the difference in wound healing. The American College of Chest Physicians seem to hold the last word on this subject and prescribe anticoagulation guidelines. Many orthopaedic surgeons dispute the right of the ACCP to dictate management of their patients. The chest physicians have very strong evidence to support their argument. The argument not to treat will never be so enthusiastically funded.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I am afraid that this is just another example of 18th. Century medical/business attitudes being applied to 21st. Century technology. Health - as opposed to “the Health Industry”, Private Medical Practice and Business - in the same sentence is an oxymoron (but an highly profitable one). Not another big idea for 2020!