Time to act on drug safety

Article Abstract:

The US needs an independent organization that can provide nationwide surveillance for adverse drug reactions and communicate that information quickly and effectively to physicians and the public. The Food and Drug Administration attempts to identify adverse effects of newly marketed drugs, but has few resources to follow drugs that have been on the market for a long time. In 1998, a department of only 52 people was responsible for monitoring the approximately 5,000 drugs already on the market. The drugs terfenadine and fenfluramine were withdrawn many years after they had been approved.

Management, Safety and security measures, United States. Food and Drug Administration

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Thyroid storm

Article Abstract:

A study on the equivalence of four thyroid hormone preparations illustrates the dangers of accepting research money from pharmaceutical companies. The study found that Synthroid, the most commonly used thyroid hormone, was equivalent to several generic versions. However, the company that manufactures Synthroid and also funded the study harassed the researchers and tried to suppress publication of the paper. The funding contract included a clause forbidding publication if the company objected to the results and the university involved failed to support its researchers.

Pharmaceutical industry, Ethical aspects, Academic freedom

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Stopping medical research to save money: a broken pact with researchers and patients

Article Abstract:

No adequate conclusion can be reached in a study of extended-release verapamil for treating hypertension because the sponsoring pharmaceutical company discontinued the study before it was completed. This illustrates the danger of giving sponsors the right to discontinue a study for economic reasons, as happened in this case. Other studies have shown that thiazide diuretics may be the best drug for many patients with hypertension.

Evaluation, Cooking, Hypertension, Drug therapy, Verapamil, Cookery for hypertensives

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