An article on this topic published in MJA InSight together with an opinion editorial in Fairfax press has attracted considerable attention (below).
More importantly, it led to a media statement by the Chiropractic Board of Australia on March 7, 2016.
- https://www.mja.com.au/insight/2016/1/ken-harvey-and-malcolm-vickers-chiropractic-board-firing-line
- http://www.theage.com.au/comment/ken-harvey-20160116-gm7hln
- http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/18/chiropractic-board-australia-should-be-sacked-members-contentious-claims
- https://theconversation.com/is-the-chiropractic-board-of-australia-doing-enough-to-protect-consumers-from-pseudoscience-47147
- http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/calls-to-revamp-chiro-board-over-misleading-ads
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-18/chiropractic-board-of-australia-under-investigation/7096366
- http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/professional-news/chiro-board-hits-back-at-toothless-tiger-claims
- http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/News/Latest-News/Chiro-board-insists-its-cracking-down-on-rogues
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-20/abc-obtains-list-of-chiropractors-accused-of-misleading-claims/7099412
- http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/News/Latest-News/More-details-emerge-over-chiro-clinic-complaints
- Shepard T. Chiros warned on ad claims. Adelaide Advertiser, 20/01/16
- Shepard T, Show some backbone and expose chiro cranks. Adelaide Advertiser, 20/01/16.
- http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/2016/1/20
- ABC1 TV News 7:00 pm, 20/01/2016
- Crouch B, Straight answers on chiros. The Adelaide Advertiser, Feb 2, 2016
- Health minister demands answers after claims of false advertising by chiropractors
- Health ministers call for straight answers from chiro board
- Professor appeals to end unscientific health claims
- CHOICE joins calls for action on dodgy chiro claims
- Mal Vickers’ talk on chiropractors at Skepticamp
- Mick Vagg’s interview on Nine National Morning TV
The Advertiser Letters to the Editor, February 3, 2016
Be accountable
MINISTER Snelling’s demand for answers from the chiropractors’ board and regulatory agency (The Advertiser, 2/2/16) is timely and welcome.
The internet has brought many benefits, but also a massive explosion in the promotion of bogus, pseudoscientific and sometimes dangerous “treatments” that are seldom, if ever, policed. Add the aggressive and overt attempts by various practitioners to make themselves the first person to be consulted by the unwell and their wholesale adoption of the title of doctor, and it is not surprising that many people are confused about what treatments may actually help them.
Friends of Science in Medicine has been advocating for years that those who profit by offering false hope and false treatments should be answerable, and Minister Snelling is to be applauded for taking up the challenge.
PROF JOHN DWYER, AO, President
PROF ROB MORRISON, OAM, Vice-President
Friends of Science in Medicine.
WE applaud Minister Snelling’s support for eliminating the false advertising of health claims in all media and particularly on the internet.
However, the various self-regulating boards of alternative therapists also need to start applying effective sanctions on their recalcitrant abusers. These boards to date have been completely ineffective in controlling nonsense therapeutic claims by their constituency, particularly in the treatment of babies, children and pregnant women.
EMERITUS PROFESSOR ALASTAIR H MacLENNAN, AO,
PROF MARCELLO COSTA,
For Friends of Science in Medicine




