Medical Research Integrity Blog (MedRIB)
Physicians in training are taught that when ordering tests and prescribing drugs, they should do so based on sound medical evidence, which, by and large, comes from medical journals. But what would be the effect if the evidence in these journals were presented in such a way as to mislead readers? If done cleverly, one might believe that an inferior medication or test was the best medical option. Who would benefit from this? Above all, those with a financial stake in the sale of such tests or drugs. And yet, the implications are serious. Not only could this lead to the provision of substandard care, it also puts at risk the credibility of American research. Is this a problem? This is the question that will be explored in MedRIB.
Harvard Feels the Heat: Conflict of Interest and the Issue of Disclosure
By Bruce W. McNulty, MD
This article is part of our MedRIB project and was published March 06, 2009.
A March 3rd New York Times article reveals how the topic of our Medical Research Ethics Blog is becoming more recognized. The story can be found at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/business/03medschool.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=medical%20ethics&st=cse
The article discusses how a group of more than 200 students at Harvard Medical School, along with some sympathetic faculty, are questioning the ties of businesses like pharmaceutical companies to their teachers. It recounts the story of a student being taught about a lipid lowering agent. When another student brought up concerns about the drugs side effects, his concerns were dismissed. Digging deeper the student found that his full time Harvard medical school professor was also a paid consultant to 10 drug companies, including 5 who make cholesterol lowering drugs.