From Malcolm Hooper
Ph.D.,B.Pharm.,C.Chem.,MRIC
Emeritus Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
School
of Sciences
Fleming
Building
Wharncliffe Street
University of Sunderland
SUNDERLAND SR2 3SD
30th March 2010
Chief Scientific Adviser
to the Gulf Veterans' Association
President: the National
Gulf War Veterans and Families Association, NGVFA, (2002)
Dear Dr Roberts,
re: MRC PACE Trial
You will doubtless be aware from Lord Drayson (the Minister with responsibility
for the MRC) that on 11th February 2010 I lodged a formal complaint with him
about the PACE Trial (reference 2010/0013270POLD).
There were three reasons for going directly to him instead of to you in the
first instance, as would have been customary:
1. In response to a formal complaint made in November 2004 by an alpha-rated
former MRC grant-holder, and despite the involvement of the then Science
Minister, Lord Sainsbury of Turville (reference SAMP001/040728) and Dr Rudi Vis
MP, the MRC External Communications Manager, Elizabeth Mitchell, had already
made plain that the MRC is not interested in considering complaints about the
PACE Trial.
2. By lodging a complaint with the MRC Clinical Trials Manager, we are mindful
of the fact that the person intimately involved with the PACE Trial, Professor
Simon Wessely, is in charge of the PACE Clinical Trial Unit.
3. Given that the MRC is co-funding the PACE Trial, inviting the MRC to
consider this substantial complaint would seem to be inviting the MRC to be both
judge and jury in its own court – hardly consistent with the most elementary
standards of independence and justice.
However, following the advice of Lord Drayson, a copy of "Magical Medicine: how
to make a disease disappear" is enclosed, which sets out our concerns in detail.
Many members of the international research community are monitoring the PACE
Trial particularly in the light of –
| - |
The total failure to engage with the vast
body of significant biomedical evidence about the nature of ME/CFS contained in
more that 4,000 published, peer-reviewed research papers. |
| - |
The misleading and contradictory content of
the Trial manuals demonstrating the apparent coercion, and exploitation of
patients. |
| - |
The seriously flawed and inadequate science
that under pins the Trial. |
We have taken much time and great care in
compiling the evidence presented in ‘Magical Medicine’ and I look forward to
receiving your reasoned response to our legitimate concerns expressed therein.
I would, therefore, appreciate an informed
and considered reply and not the standard and dismissive MRC proforma letter
that has been sent to many people who have already written expressing their
concerns about the inadequacy of the PACE Trial.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm Hooper
Enc. “Magical Medicine: how to make a disease disappear.”
Dr Morven Roberts
Clinical Trials Manager
MRC
20
Park Crescent
London
W1B 1AL
