The Illusion of Evidence-Based Medicine : Exposing the crisis of credibility in clinical research

Description

An expose of the corruption of medicine by the pharmaceutical industry at every level, from exploiting the vulnerable destitute for drug testing, through manipulation of research data, to disease mongering and promoting drugs that do more harm than good. Authors, Professor Jon Jureidini and Dr Leemon McHenry, made critical contributions to exposing the scientific misconduct in two infamous trials of antidepressants. Ghostwritten publications of these trials were highly influential in prescriptions of paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa) in paediatric and adolescent depression, yet both trials (Glaxo Smith Kline's paroxetine study 329 and Forest Laboratories' citalopram study CIT-MD-18) seriously misrepresented the efficacy and safety data. "The Illusion of Evidence-Based Medicine" provides a detailed account of these studies and argues that medicine desperately needs to re-evaluate its relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. Without a basis for independent evaluation of the results of randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials, there can be no confidence in evidence-based medicine. Science demands rigorous, critical examination and especially severe testing of hypotheses to function properly, but this is exactly what is lacking in academic medicine. "'The Illusion of Evidence-Based Medicine' is a brilliant expose of the negative influence of the global pharmaceutical industry on the integrity of medicine. Every medical student, doctor and patient should read this account of the ways in which medical evidence is distorted to meet the needs of Big Pharma for profits. Importantly the book points to ways in which medicine's independence can be reclaimed through improved governance and public funding." - Professor Fran Baum Cover About the authors Title page Imprint Dedication Contents page 1 Contents page 2 Preface Chapter 1 - The Crisis of Credibility in Clinical Research Case Studies in Industry Malfeasance The Privatization of Knowledge and Conflicts of Interest Chapter 2 - The Corruption of Clinical Research: Study 329 and Study CIT-MD-18 Misreporting of Industry-Corrupted Psychiatric Trials Ghostwriting of the Manuscripts The Marketing Strategy Concerns in the Public Domain Role of the Journals Successful Efforts to Block Publication of Critical Evaluations Conclusion Chapter 3 - A Rigorous Conception of Science in Medicine Popper’s Critical Rationalism Industry Science Limitations of Popper’s Approach The Science of Clinical Trials Evidence-Based Medicine Conclusion Chapter 4 - Communication of Scientific Findings Medical Communications and Public Relations Publication Planning Ghost and Honorary Authors The Harms of Ghostwriting to Academe and Patients Industry Response: Poisoning the Well Continuing Medical Education and Medical Conferences Clinical Practice Guidelines Conclusion Chapter 5 - Academics and the Corporate University Commercialization of the Academy Key Opinion Leaders as Product Champions Academic Medical Centers’ Policies Academic Freedom in Medicine Conclusion Chapter 6 - Distorted Research Priorities Ignoring Essential Medicines Exploiting Psychiatry’s Dubious Nosology for Disease Mongering Mental Health Screening and its Contribution to Disease Mongering Conclusion Chapter 7 - Regulators and Governance Failures of Regulation Drug Companies as Clients of Regulators Betrayal of Research Participants Conclusion Chapter 8 - Solutions Minimally Effective Responses A Radical Proposal Popper versus Social Constructivism Conclusion Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Appendix I Appendix J Appendix K Appendix L Notes Bibliography Acknowledgements Index Wakefield Press Back cover