Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2394

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

Sleight P.
Where are clinical trials going? Society and clinical trials
Journal of Internal Medicine 2004 Feb 01; 255:151
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2796.2003.01294.x

Abstract:

Clinical trials now increasingly impinge on society at large. First there is growing emphasis from health organizations on the need for unbiased evidence about the effectiveness of promoted remedies. Second, as most novel treatments accrue increased costs to society, these need to be evaluated in terms of value for money. Third, there has been confusion and concern about the resolution of conflicting evidence, especially the role of advertising and commercial pressures from a powerful pharmaceutical industry motivated by profit. Fourth, there is concern about research fraud and the ethics of clinical trials. Fifth, there is increasing suspicion of political advice, which sometimes has sought to reassure an anxious public on the basis of complex and possibly inadequate scientific information. Some of these issues are addressed by truly independent and properly constituted data and safety monitoring committees, which are of particular importance when academic investigators or universities have a large financial conflict of interest. This is now more problematic with the current encouragement of investigator-led spin-off companies. These issues are best resolved by independent financial support (from government or other institutions) rather than relying on the commercial sponsor

Keywords:
Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial MeSH Terms: Clinical Trials/standards Clinical Trials/trends* Conflict of Interest Humans Public Opinion* Research Support/economics Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Scientific Misconduct