Healthy Skepticism Library item: 527

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

Rennie D.
Thyroid storm.
JAMA 1997 Apr 16; 277:(15):1238-43

Keywords:
*editorial United States drug company sponsored research conflict of interest academic freedom relationship between researchers, academic institutions and industry Betty Dong Synthroid Boots Knoll American Thyroid Association PROMOTION DISGUISED: CLINICAL TRIALS PROMOTION DISGUISED: DISINFORMATION AND HARASSMENT SPONSORSHIP: RESEARCH

Notes:

This editorial recounts the story of how Boots Pharmaceuticals, makers of Synthroid (thyroid replacement) contracted with Betty Dong, a researcher at the University of California-San Francisco, to undertake a study to show that generic forms of Synthroid were not bioequivalent to it. When Dong’s study showed otherwise Boots stopped publication of the article and threatened to sue her for contract violation. The editorial discusses all of the ramifications of this event.