The plot is even thicker when you start looking at the FDA’s method for awarding
the PR contract. …
Category: Implications
Emory doc hid $1.2M in pharma payments
“After questioning about 20 doctors and research institutions, it looks like
problems with transparency are everywhere,” Grassley told the New York
Times. “The current system for tracking financial relationships isn’t
working.” …
When the Cure is Worse Than the Disease
The major classes of prescription drugs are failures. Most drugs are never
designed to address the underlying biochemical causes of disease — and they may
intentionally be designed to create life-long dependency. …
Florida sues Merck to recover money spent on Vioxx
The lawsuit alleges that “Merck’s costly promotional campaign was intended to
convince purchasers that the drug was not only safe, but that they should demand
it from their healthcare professionals for pain treatment,” according to a
statement from the attorney general. …
FDA Warns Five Drugmakers Over ADHD Ads
The charges would appear serious – the FDA says the drugmakers variously omitted
material facts; miminized important risks; overstated efficacy or made
unsubstantiated claims. …
Rules on Bioengineered Animals: FDA to Release Guidelines for Stages of Genetic Modification
“I don’t think what’s being announced will protect humans and the environment from all the potential risks that a genetically engineered animal may pose,” said Jaffe of the Center for Science in the Public Interest [and he’s avidly pro-GM!]
GSK gets bad press in U.S., Argentina
Families in Argentina are saying GlaxoSmithKline tricked them into participating
in an experimental vaccine trial by telling them their children were receiving
medical treatment …
Investigators: Most data on drugs never available
“Regardless of the cause, publication bias harms the public good by impairing
the ability of clinicians and patients to make informed clinical decisions, and
the ability of scientists to design safer and more efficient trials based on
past findings,” the authors wrote. “Publication bias can thus be considered a
form of scientific misconduct.” …
Groups seek more data on drug firms’ gifts to doctors
This year’s report from the Attorney General’s Office showed that Vermont
doctors received $3.1 million in gifts and donations from the pharmaceutical and
medical industry — an increase of 33 percent over the previous year. …
Atypicals no better than older meds in kids
That’s bad news for the companies that make leading atypicals–Johnson & Johnson Risperdal, Eli Lilly (Zyprexa), Bristol-Myers Squibb (Abilify),Pfizer (Geodon), AstraZeneca(Seroquel). Prescription rates for these meds have enjoyed a
strong growth curve, increasing more than fivefold among children over the past
15 years. …