Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13266

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

DeAngelis CD, Thornton JP.
Preserving Confidentiality in the Peer Review Process
JAMA 2008 Mar 24; 299:(16):epub ahead of print
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299.16.jed80000

Abstract:

For the past year or so, JAMA and the Archives of Internal Medicine have been involved in litigation that significantly threatened the integrity of our peer review process. We now inform our reviewers, authors, and readers about the results of this litigation that preserve the confidentiality of our peer review process.

Pfizer Inc is a defendant in more than 3000 lawsuits across the country alleging that Pfizer advertised and marketed the cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors celecoxib and valdecoxib as likely to provide pain relief without the adverse effects that had accompanied earlier anti-inflammatory medications. The plaintiffs contend that false representations were made to drive demand for these higher-priced prescription drugs, when lower-cost nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs would have been as safe or safer for most patients. The plaintiffs include consumers, health plan providers such as unions, and third-party payers that manage formularies and reimburse claims.

The defense attorneys for Pfizer issued subpoenas to a host of journals, but it appears the first 2 were directed at JAMA and the Archives of Internal Medicine (AIM). On May 9, 2007, Pfizer served federal court subpoenas on JAMA and AIM seeking 4 broad categories of documents and information. In response, JAMA and AIM provided copies of hundreds of pages of published articles regarding celecoxib and valdecoxib. However, the subpoenas sought all documents regarding the decision to accept or reject manuscripts, copies of rejected manuscripts, the identities of peer reviewers and the manuscripts they reviewed, and the comments by and among peer reviewers and editors regarding manuscripts, revisions, and publication decisions…

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