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The drugs that won't work - a medical scandal.

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Mark Russell, Sep 25, 2012.


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    Ben Goldacre writing in the Guardian today....

     
  2. wdd

    wdd Well-Known Member

    Hi Mark,

    This ties in nicely with the thread "Reproducing Scientific Results".

    Initially I started making a list of changes that might solve the problem, eg All scientific studies need to be designed by independent study designers including a professional statistician. All studies must be published in full.

    It's possible to extend the above list considerably but already it is becoming apparent that openness and commercial interest do not go hand in hand. It is only by changing the rules around this central conflict and somehow rewarding openness commercially that genuine progress can be made in this area.

    Bill
     
  3. davidh

    davidh Podiatry Arena Veteran

    Good thread guys.

    It's been going on for years of course. The BMJ reported a drug a few years back which was developed to treat a psych condition which didn't exist.
    That was in Aus - I believe the marketing manager of the company involved made a public apology.....;).
     
  4. Selwyn Firth

    Selwyn Firth Member

    That article shows just a little about how "scientific papers" are manipulated to get published showing only trials in which good results are published. The problem is that the regulators need to see all the information but do not get it from the manufacturers if it is not good .The Big Pharmaceutical manufacturers have way too much influence because they make so much money from their drug dependent users. This article should be included in all medical student courses. This was an excellent article.

    Thanks
    Selwyn Firth Canada
     
  5. Jonix

    Jonix Active Member

    I am not a great reader. I admit, gave up 2/3 of the way through.

    So unless the tone of the article was reversed in the final 1/3, that phrase "damn lies and statistics" springs to mind.

    You know what, I almost shouldn't read this stuff. I already believe I individually have a responsibility to manage my own health, seeking my own solutions and avoiding as much as possible recourse to chemicals and knives. Experience is only reinforcing this view. (Though I am open the fact that one day I might be proved catastrophically mistaken -- I am not yet old enough to know for sure!)

    As a comparison with the proliferation of expensive ulcer dressings at the Diabetic Foot Conf in Earls Court last year.. Each year, there are shed loads of studies proving the new wonder dressing. However, subjective experience, both individual and collective, is hugely valuable. Because the proof of it all is.. which ones are still being used in 5 years time?
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2012
  6. davidh

    davidh Podiatry Arena Veteran

    Good article at the back of The Diabetic Foot Journal (Autumn 2012) Jo.

    Article Digest - page 132.
    The point is well made that the only two newer therapies which are shown to be useful in the treatment of chronic ulcers are hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and, possibly, negative pressure wound therapy.

    All the clever dressings are just expensive window-dressing (my own observation, and one I may say for which I was castigated some years ago by a certain NHS Trust Pod Dept). I'm delighted to see someone agrees with me in print.

    It's very easy (with my cynical hat on) to talk NHS Depts into using some new and expensive dressing on their diabetic ulcers. Put on a nice lunch for the staff, give some freebies out, and show some (meaningless) graphs in colour.

    Probably still happening........
     
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