E-DRUG: List of books on medicines and/or Big Pharma (9)
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[Our response to Dr Offerhaus follows his message. E-Drug Moderators]
Quite an impressive list - but where are the Scandinavian, German and
Dutch publications? Have colleagues in those countries never opened
their mouths? The list could probably have doubled in size, but what is
the use of it? Many of the publications are now dated and do not apply
to the present situation. Somebody should write a critical review and
summarize the most relevant data.
Good luck. Don't obfuscate this immense problem by trying to drown the
reading public.
Leo Offerhaus
Netherlands
Leo Offerhaus <offerhausl@euronet.nl>
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Dear Leo
Thanks for these comments.
Please do download and look at the Excel file of the list - it is at least slightly easier to navigate and search the books using Excel filters or keyword searches rather than just the long list in the E-Drug post.
1) The list started out as only English language and it has been a step to include some French and a few Spanish publications. Other languages could be added if titles are submitted along with a translation if members from those language groups feel that it would be useful or wish the list to be more complete. (Or derive their own list since it would be difficult for us to work outside of our language skills)
2) Some of the dated publications are important from an historical perspective e.g. to describe the evolution of the essential medicines or consumer activism movements within this area. Others may be less useful where they have been superceded by more recent books and/or events such as changes in patent laws. Rather than try and decide which are dated/useful and which are not, all are listed.
3) "What is the use of it?" is one of the questions we are asking. If it is not of use, then we will not maintain it. However, the original list (that was smaller and more manageable but arguably less complete) arose from interest among E-druggers to compile a list of activist style books to help them find worthwhile books to read. A member asked about what had happened to that list which led us to update it. Now we have included a wider range of books including some related to essential medicines / rational use of medicines since at least some of us feel that it is important to capture these for historical purposes.
Rather than just rely on suggestions from E-druggers, titles suggested by Amazon.com and Google Books (and other bibliographic sites) were used to find related texts. It is difficult to draw a line as to what should be included and what excluded so I erred on the side of inclusion rather than exclusion.
4) "Somebody should write a critical review and summarize the most relevant data". Anyone....?
Thanks for sharing your views.
Douglas Ball
for E-Drug Moderators
E-Drug@healthnet.org