| Pills and pain: Long waits for care, overprescribing of medicine ...
The IHS, in a written response to the Tribune's questions, denied that overprescribing of painkillers is a problem at the agency's clinics. "Current case loads do not preclude IHS doctors from upholding the standards of care, which include rational prescribing decisions based on their medical training," the statement said. Perfect storm of factors A perfect storm of factors is feeding the pill problem: grinding poverty coupled with handsome prices for contraband pills (a methadone tablet sells for up to $20 on the Blackfeet Reservation), a long history of addiction in American Indian communities and the fact there is no charge for patient visits or prescriptions at IHS clinics. Some allege that crushing workloads for IHS doctors and political pressure on physicians from tribal officials and relatives a function of life in close-knit reservation communities also are to blame.
Agriculture Commissioner to visit Ireland
The senior Danish politician will attend the Irish Farmers' Association AGM and hold talks with the Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan. In May 2006 Ms Fischer-Boel became the first EU Commissioner to take part in a national parliamentary debate in a member state when she attended a special joint Dail-Seanad session. On Tuesday, Ms Fischer Boel will deliver a major speech explaining changes for farmers arising out of the "Health Check" of the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap). A Commission spokeswoman said: "The Health Check of the Cap, introduced in November, aims to build on the 2003 reforms designed to streamline and simplify EU agricultural policy and help farmers meet new challenges. "The Commission is calling for a wide-ranging consultation on its ideas before it finalises its legislative proposals in May." Ms Fischer Boel will also give a briefing on the ongoing global trade negotiations and her recent decision to restrict imports of Brazilian beef.
AS WE WERE: The first edition of the Glasgow Advertiser, as The Herald ...
The first issue of the Glasgow Advertiser, as The Herald was first known, published 225 years ago this weekend, is a fascinating document, showing how the city's fortunes were locked into those of North America, continental Europe and India. Trade with all three of these regions was vital to the city economy, but war and the rumour of war were depressing the markets. Famine across much of Scotland was not helping prospects either. But as the news unfolds - for it is placed in the paper in the order it was received - a new order emerges: Britain has concluded a peace with France and Spain, but its 13 American colonies have been lost. For Glasgow, this means the end of the Tobacco Lords, but a resumption of trade with the continent and the promise of trade - on far less fortunate terms - with the emerging country called America.
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