E-drug: Re: Sponsors and journal articles
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Some comments on Joel Lexchin's posting on funding of favorable journal
articles:
Funding of journal articles by pharmaceutical manufacturers is an acceptable
practice. Journals that are peer-reviewed and adhere to rigorous
requirements of scientific validity is (or should be) a solid line of
defense to prevent fraudulent claims of efficacy and safety.
The real issue in my opinion, is the attempt to hide unfavorable results.
Omitting or downplaying adverse effects in an article seems a stupid thing
to do - whichever perspective you choose. Experienced clinicians will decide
for themselves how applicable a particular finding may be in their setting
and for a specific patient. After all, all drugs have adverse effects if
used irrationally.
Samuel Wagner Ph.D.
Research Specialist in Pharmaceutical Economics
PRIME Institute
Room 7-194
College of Pharmacy Tel. 612 625 4186
Weaver-Densford Hall Fax 612 625 9931
University of Minnesota
308 Harvard Str. S.E.
Minneapolis 55455, MN
USA
email: wagne051@gold.tc.umn.edu
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