Article: Can we really trust medical research?
Can we really trust medical research?
by: Dr. Janet Starr Hull, Ph.D., CN
http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/
Medical studies are commonly sponsored by private
industries such as drug companies. Ideally, the sponsor is
a silent partner meant to pay for and back the study while
keeping their hands clean of the study itself. However, in
a recent survey of 108 U.S. medical schools, it was found
that many contracts between the schools and their
industry sponsors were not adequately safeguarded,
which leaves sponsors free to get their hands dirty.
Guidelines meant to protect the independence of
researchers from their sponsors were revised last year
due to concern over this issue. However, these guidelines
are often not followed or are completely missing from
medical study contracts. It is not uncommon for studies
to be conducted without an independent member to
monitor a financial sponsor's role, and it is not a
requirement that the study be published. This means that
valuable information, including negative results that could
potentially harm a sponsor, may never be reported.
The survey points out an urgent need to revamp the
process of contracting in medical research studies.
The New England Journal of Medicine October 24,
2002
