Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3464

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

Smith RN.
Role of the pharmaceutical industry in major clinical trials
Lancet 1987; 2:1464

Abstract:

The author accepts the suggestion for independent units that handle data for clinical trials but he does not agree that company staff should not check data with clinical investigators. Data can be handled inside or outside the company, so long as the process meets rigorous controls and is open to inspection. However, the centralization of worldwide trial data in a company has certain advantages.

Keywords:
*letter to the editor/United Kingdom/ drug company sponsored research/ reporting of results/ industry perspective/SPONSORSHIP: RESEARCH