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Healthy Skepticism Library item: 16817

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

Lawton V
Is the conflict of interest unacceptable when drug companies conduct trials on their own drugs? No
BMJ 2009 Nov 29; 339:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/nov27_1/b4953


Abstract:

The drug industry is sometimes accused of finding it difficult to reconcile the difference between the strict disciplines of ethical science and its responsibility to its shareholders to return a healthy profit. Proposals to move control of this critical process in drug development into the hands of an “objective” third party need to be critically examined. Clinical trials are properly managed by a rigorous system of regulatory scrutiny throughout. Potential for conflict of interest, when clearly identified and controlled, is not unacceptable.

The industry develops medicines through years of painstaking research by some of the best scientists in the world, often in collaboration with academic researchers. Clinical trials are an essential part of developing safe and effective drugs, and after the drug is introduced to clinical use more is discovered about its effects. Further trials, which can involve academic collaboration, are done to provide further information and study whether new indications can be added to the drug’s use-for example, as in the landmark 4S trial.1

 

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...to influence multinational corporations effectively, the efforts of governments will have to be complemented by others, notably the many voluntary organisations that have shown they can effectively represent society’s public-health interests…
A small group known as Healthy Skepticism; formerly the Medical Lobby for Appropriate Marketing) has consistently and insistently drawn the attention of producers to promotional malpractice, calling for (and often securing) correction. These organisations [Healthy Skepticism, Médecins Sans Frontières and Health Action International] are small, but they are capable; they bear malice towards no one, and they are inscrutably honest. If industry is indeed persuaded to face up to its social responsibilities in the coming years it may well be because of these associations and others like them.
- Dukes MN. Accountability of the pharmaceutical industry. Lancet. 2002 Nov 23; 360(9346)1682-4.