Medical journals take firm stance against drug trial manipulation
Thirteen leading medical journals, including several European publications, took action on 9 September to halt the publication of scientific research which has not been carried out independently. They argue that some pharmaceutical companies use their funding power to protect profits by distorting and suppressing the results of drug trials, sometimes with tragic results for patients. In several cases, researchers did not participate in the design of the study, had no access to the raw data, had little involvement in the interpretation of the data and had no control over whether the results were published. The journals, including the Lancet, the British Medical Journal and the Dutch Journal of Medicine, aim to restrict the publication of studies whose objectivity has been compromised. In a statement, the International committee of medical journal editors (ICMJE) warned that 'powerful tools must be used carefully,' and said: 'We will not review or publish articles based on studies that are conducted under conditions that allow the sponsor to have sole control of the data or to withhold publication.' Dr Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, said: 'All of us...had seen instances of where cash interests had been put before patients. There are examples of exaggerated benefits and suppressing and avoiding the adverse effects of drugs.' Dr Horton said he recognised the importance of drug company funding, but said companies must take a back seat when investing in trials. Dr Richard Smith, editor of the British Medical journal, said: 'This initiative should not be seen as an attack on the pharmaceutical industry. Many companies have high ethical standards and will see no problem in complying with the new policies.'