Healthy Skepticism Library item: 28

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

Lenzer J.
Alteplase for stroke: money and optimistic claims buttress the “brain attack“ campaign.
BMJ 2002 Mar 23; 324:723-726
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/324/7339/723

Abstract:

The American Heart Association rated the thrombolytic agent alteplase (tPA) as a class I (definitely recommended) intervention for stroke despite controversy about its safety and efficacy.
Most of the association’s stroke experts have ties to the manufacturers of alteplase. Genentech, the US manufacturer of alteplase, contributed over $11m to the American Heart Association in the decade before its recommendation on alteplase. Following public scrutiny, the American Heart
Association recently withdrew statements that alteplase for stroke “saves lives”. Seemingly impartial organisations that issue professional guidelines may have ties to the manufacturers of recommended interventions.

Keywords:
*analysis United States American Heart Association Genentech conflict of interest relationship between researchers, academic institutions and industry stroke thrombolysis ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY SPONSORSHIP: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Notes:

Commentaries from: Charles Warlow, BMJ 2002:324:726-727; Jeffrey Saver et al., BMJ 2002;324:727-729.
ProCite field⁵: Analysis
ProCite field³⁸: bmj.com/cgi/reprint/324/7339/723