A scandalous lack of checks and balances within the medical research system is providing secrecy for drug companies to undermine science. These covert actions that take many forms are resulting in conflicts of interest that create bias and compromise scientific objectivity–and that could compromise your health.
In the research of new drugs, can we trust scientists to fully disclose side effects if they have a financial interest in the drug’s manufacturer? According to recent investigative reports, evidence clearly shows that at times the public is at risk because of the bias that can ensue from such cases.
The opportunities for bias are manifold.
One scenario leading to conflicts of interests is the investigation of new drugs funded by the pharmaceutical firm that manufactures them. How frequently does this happen? After reviewing a year’s issues of the most prestigious medical journal in the world, the Washington Post uncovered that 60 of the 73 studies on new medications were funded by a drug company.
In addition to conflict of interest arising from a drug company’s footing the bill, many other ways exist for scientists to be biased in favor of a drug they are researching, causing them to overlook results that would put the drug in a bad light. It is not uncommon for drug companies to hire researchers as consultants or as speakers, nor is it unusual for scientists to be recipients of hefty-sized research grants from Big Pharma.
The research involving the dangerous drug Avandia illustrates the bias potential.
A perfect example of the public health threat from the drug companies’ influence over research is cited by the Post’s review of the investigation involving the drug Avandia. In a 2006 study of the comparison of three diabetes drugs, scientists concluded that Avandia was the most effective, but they missed warning signs that the drug was dangerous. Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks, which is an effect that the FDA estimates led to 83,000 heart attacks and deaths.
It turns out that the study was funded by the drug’s manufacturer and that each of the 11 authors had a financial interest in the company. Four owned company stock and the remaining seven were recipients of grants or consultant fees from the firm. Although it is impossible to know if these connections biased the researchers, the potential was clearly present.
Big Pharma’s control over science is not confined to biased researchers.
Aside from the problem of bias, the pharmaceutical industry can control the science discourse through ghostwriting. Through this means, a drug company can steer the direction of the writing of a research article, thereby affecting how a scientific finding is understood and applied.
Furthermore, executives of drug companies can design research that makes their products appear better than they actually are, giving only positive views of the drugs. The potential for undermining science is broad, as Big Pharma can influence studies independently of biased researchers.
The checks and balances system is broken.
Although an honor system is in place for researchers to report conflicts of interest, this does not always happen. In such cases, the hospitals or universities are supposed to note the conflict and report it.
When these backup entities fail to do their job, which often happens, the National Institute of Health (NIH) is supposed to intervene. The shocking truth is that the NIH is neglecting to enforce laws designed to stop the influence of Big Pharma’ s money.
The best hope of solving the problem of undermined science lies with the researchers themselves. Through peer-reviewed journals and professional societies, scientists can pressure their colleagues to avoid drug company money or at least fully disclose it.
Sources:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-drug-company-money-undermining-science
http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2012/11/28/putting-drug-research-funding-under-the-microscope/
Mary West is a natural health enthusiast, as she believes this area can profoundly enhance wellness. She is the creator of a natural healing website where she focuses on solutions to health problems that work without side effects. You can visit her site and learn more at http://www.alternativemedicinetruth.com. Ms. West is also the author of Fight Cancer Through Powerful Natural Strategies.
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