april fool's!Highly rigorous researchers who publish their results, supported by charts, graphs and statistics galore, Prescrire is all for it. But as for the statistics regarding the peculiar properties of high dilutions of aqua naturalis and the effects on absorbent paper, as reported on page 307 of La revue Prescrire's April 2019 issue, let's just say it's all wet. Surely not the first, nor the last, announcement in this area that, upon careful scrutiny, just doesn't hold water.
And yes, our "News Flash" hyping the highly noteworthy results of "highly rigorous researchers" pertaining to the study of "high dilutions" was, you guessed it, an April fool's prank.
37 years of "fishy business" in April
The traditional April prank by Prescrire's editors serves as an annual "booster shot" to remind us all that in the serious business of medical information, it pays to exercise critical judgement at all times.
In April 1983 Prescrire's "special correspondent" revealed to enthralled readers the enormous interest of protryptophane in the treatment of acute senility... And ever since, the experiment has been repeated yearly in La revue Prescrire's April issue.
And on a few occasions, Prescrire's "April fish" (as the seasonal pranks are known in France) have even made it into the English edition, Prescrire International. One of these is included below, in this sampling of Prescrire's yearly "Poissons d'avril".
Greatest hits from Prescrire's annual "Poisson d'avril" prank
- Innovative new research on "high dilutions" could change in the way we look at pharmacology (1 April 2019)
"While some remain mired in a sterile debate over whether or not homeopathy is "fake medicine", highly rigorous researchers have announced great strides in the area of "high dilutions", opening up a whole new era in critical thinking... These results, [reported in the April edition of La revue Prescrire], are noteworthy, since they could call into question the laws of universal gravity and the laws governing classic organic chemistry, the very foundations underlying all pharmacological principles."
"[Dés]illusions ? Rev Prescrire 2019; 39 (426): 307. (Pdf, in French, free)
- "Speed Care": an innovative continuing education programme allowing doctors and pharmacists to save precious time (1 April 2016)
"Just one example of the promising innovations on offer is a weekly schedule organised according to patients’ conditions, to achieve an "optimisation of available physician brain-time"..."
"Speed care : un programme de formation innovant pour gagner du temps au cabinet ou en officine" Rev Prescrire 2016; 36 (390): 306. (Pdf, subscription to the French edition required)
- A new drug treatment makes headlines in France: olanzapine + topiramate (Obéfix°), maintains ideal weight without risk (1 April 2012)
"La Revue Prescrire has revealed unbelievable new results that will be welcome reading for medical professionals and patients alike. ..."
"Olanzapine + topiramate (Obéfix°)" Rev Prescrire 2012; 33 (342): 248-251. (Pdf in French, free)
The 2001 "Golden Microphone" awards
for the pharmaceutical industry (1 April 2001)
"The drug industry shows that it knows how to show its gratitude to deserving "opinion leaders"..."
"Les micros d'Or 2001 de l'industrie pharmaceutique" Rev Prescrire 2001; 21 (216): 307. (Pdf in French, free)
- Diffunase° (1 April 2000)
"Prevention of stress, of sexual dysfunction, of insomnia, primal urges, bulimia, etc. All by a very novel means of administration: air travel."
"Gamme Diffunase°, n'importe quoi !" Rev Prescrire 2000; 20 (205): 266-268. (Pdf in French, free)
- A computerised medical information system in France? (1 April 1997)
"A confidential report by the Ministries of Health and Finance contains a proposal for a mandatory computerised medical identification system, in the form of an unremovable computerised bracelet to be worn by all beneficiaries of the national health insurance system..."
"Un carnet de santé informatisé en France ?" Rev Prescrire 1997; 17 (172): 284 - 285 et 308. (Pdf in French, free)
- Panaceum° tablets (1 April 1984)
"All the results are unanimous, just a single 5 mg dose is enough to cure the great majority of illnesses. The huge advantage for us prescribers is that there is no need for a precise diagnosis. As soon as we suspect some disorder, major or minor, no matter what it involves, the prescription is the same..."
"Panaceum° comprimés" Rev Prescrire 1984; 4 (34) : 2. (Pdf in French, free)
"Panaceum° d'avril" Rev Prescrire 1984; 4 (35): II. (Pdf in French, free)
- Kwajalumpur. 3rd Symposium of the International Federation of Experimental Gerontopathology: protryptophane can cure senility (1 April 1983)
"The press must be ever alert in order to satisfy readers' thirst for news..."
"Kwajalumpur. Troisième symposium de la Féderation Internationale de Gérontopathologie Expérimentale : le protryptophane peut guérir la sénilité" Rev Prescrire 1983; 3 (24): 13 - 14. (Pdf in French, free)
©Prescrire 1 April 2019
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