According to two recent American reports, only the results of a minority of clinical trials carried out to obtain authorization from the Drug Agency (AMM) are published: between 6 and 43% depending on the criteria. The others are jealously kept away from the light, for obscure reasons that will remain long unanswered. And medications are allowed...
In the United States, as everywhere else, it is a public institution that grants marketing authorizations for new drugs: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the decision-making process, only the studies provided by the pharmaceutical companies are taken into account. In other words, the drug producer provides the data that allows the administration to say whether or not the product can be marketed. Relentless? Or even...
OUBLIS ...
In fact, the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology), by comparing scientific data bases, has determined the existence of a significant selection bias in clinical trials, all funding included, which leads their managers to publish only those that are favourable: approximately one in five! More importantly, less than 6% of all studies funded by the pharmaceutical industry are published. And of these 6%, three quarters come to positive conclusions. The pharmaceutical industry is in a very special situation.
To earn the right to market a product, a company must provide two favorable scientific studies... even if fifty others indicate otherwise! Under these conditions, it is easy to understand why, in this period of crisis, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the only economic sectors to regularly increase its profits.
...AND TRUMPERIES
More serious than forgetfulness is fraudulent intent. Dr. Scott Reuben, one of the most prolific American researchers in the field of post-operative pain management, has fabricated most of his research data since 1996 for the benefit of several pharmaceutical giants, including Pfizer and Merck. The treatments promoted by the researcher now concern millions of patients worldwide...and have brought in several billion dollars!
The pharmaceutical plan is simple and lucrative: first, the companies themselves provide the data needed to evaluate the drugs for marketing approval; second, they hire the doctors to conduct the additional trials on the approved drugs; and third, they canvass the city's doctors to sell the products. And every year, dozens of drugs are withdrawn from the market because they are dangerous, even though they have passed all the health evaluation stages... Did you say "fraud"?