don't get me started
 

From http://www.blacklistednews.com/view.asp?ID=6252

The drug maker Merck drafted dozens of research studies for a best-selling drug, then lined up prestigious doctors to put their names on the reports before publication, according to an article to be published Wednesday in a leading medical journal.

........................

The lead author of Wednesday’s article, Dr. Joseph S. Ross of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, said a close look at the Merck documents raised broad questions about the validity of much of the drug industry’s published research, because the ghostwriting practice appears to be widespread.

“It almost calls into question all legitimate research that’s been conducted by the pharmaceutical industry with the academic physician,” said Dr. Ross, whose article, written with colleagues, was published Wednesday in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association. and posted Tuesday on the journal’s Web site.

Merck acknowledged on Tuesday that it sometimes hired outside medical writers to draft research reports before handing them over to the doctors whose names eventually appear on the publication. But the company disputed the article’s conclusion that the authors do little of the actual research or analysis...............

Saw it in the Washington Post this morning...
 

Rick, I know, I know. I'm still spluttering, mostly about our country being defined in terms of counting beans. Would Nathan Hale have given his one life for a country that analyzes possible cures on the basis of "cost-effectiveness"? If only they'd give it a nicer name, like "sustainable availability." But the corporation is treated as a person, with the same rights (if I understand what the lawyers say). Thus a person can serve as an employee of a big pharma during, say Vioxx development and marketing, and then leave the company to serve in of another company that's NOT developing, say, GDNF. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the responsibility is legally the company's, and not that of any persons/leaders involved. I have to concede that pharmaceutical products are too complicated and their effects to far-reaching to be the responsibility of any one person, but-- but-- I feel so ignorant, not knowing how to change the way things are done, but at least they're being scrutinized now. Never give up, Rick, and I won't either. What was it we were trying to do, again?

:D Jaye

dear rev -I'm listening -
 

food the final poison -
 

lets go to McDonalds and then lets take our meds -

you are what you eat...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L38YMhP2YdQ

http://www.foodmatters.tv/

of water and lawyers
 

Jaye- I think the "corporate shield" is the most abused legal fiction in history. I support the idea for the "Mom and Pop" corps where even a simple harassment suit could ruin them, but "Megacorp" is another matter entirely where a soulless creature can decide the fates of entire countries. There was a time that the idea of a corporation having the rights as an individual would have you judged insane. There is a timeline at http://www.ratical.org/corporations/ToPRaP.html that is very interesting.

TenaLouise- I am blessed with a most excellent well sunk deep into limestone far from both industry and agriculture. I had it tested some years ago for over 275 different contaminants. The only thing they could find was that it was a bit "hard" due to the limestone. If I ever move I am going to take the well with me. :D

everyone probably already knows...
 

that merck makes sinemet

don't get started?!?... don't stop...
 

I, too, am very glad that you got started... and keep starting every day. It's absolutely true, we each must take responsibility for our own health as today's healthcare "industry" is ultimately designed to make money and actual health seems to be a side-effect much of the time. Actions like this only serve to strengthen that notion, and my resolve to make seriously considered decisions instead of blindly consuming "product". Blind consumerism... now, don't get me started...:eek:

Just got back from the AAN - American Academcy of Neurology - in Chicago. Merck was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday but kept giving away 3 different flavors of ice cream cones at their lavish exhibit booth....a popular draw. It's the incentives you see. All the way down to ice cream in the exhibit booth.

By the way, some of the same people who halted GDNF came to Amgen from Merck. Vioxx is frequently used as an excuse for being safe with GDNF. Could it be that the new people didn't want to compete with their old employer?

We have a long way to go to trusting the medical establishment, who seem most interested in improving their businesses.

paula