Saturday, July 14, 2012

Medical research and literature. 40% corrupted.


From here (or here).

Roughly 40% of the sizeable medical research and literature on recently approved drugs is “ghost managed” by the pharmaceutical industry and its agents. Research is performed and articles are written by companies and their agents, though apparently independent academics serve as authors on the publications. Similarly, the industry hires academic scientists, termed key opinion leaders, to serve as its speakers and to deliver its continuing medical education courses. In the ghost management of knowledge, and its dissemination through key opinion leaders, we see the pharmaceutical industry attempting to hide or disguise the interests behind its research and education.

Well, the phenomenon is known, sure, but the scale of 40% (!) is really surprising. How can we really trust in the “scientific” literature if there is 40% probability of fake?

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