Seven days in medicine: 12-18 April 2023
BMJ 2023; 381 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p857 (Published 20 April 2023) Cite this as: BMJ 2023;381:p857
Covid-19
“Pandemic hoax” surgeon loses suspension appeal
The High Court upheld a decision to suspend a senior surgeon from the UK medical register for six months for airing conspiracy theories on YouTube denying the existence of covid-19. Mohammad Adil appealed against the decision made last June by a medical practitioners tribunal, arguing that it infringed his right to free speech under the European Convention on Human Rights. But the judge, Mr Justice Swift, noted that the convention may be restricted in the interests of public safety, to protect public health, and to protect the rights of others. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.p810)
Virus was Australia’s third main cause of death in 2022
Covid-19 became Australia’s third leading cause of death last year—after ischaemic heart disease and dementia—with more than 20 200 more deaths than would have been expected without the pandemic and a total excess mortality of 12%, Australia’s Actuaries Institute found. The institute’s Karen Cutter said, “The order of the top five leading causes of death had remained the same since 2018, but that changed in 2022 when covid-19 became widely prevalent in Australia.” Most excess deaths occurred in people over 65, although excess mortality was at least 5% in all age groups in 2022. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.p842)
Cancer
NICE U turns on olaparib after manufacturer’s deal
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended olaparib for some types of early breast cancer and advanced prostate cancer in …
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