Medication Under a Microscope

[flashl]

Source: Washington Post

Studies Raise Questions About Drugs' Efficacy Against Disease

A series of surprising findings about some of the most widely accepted assumptions in medicine has renewed debate about how aggressively doctors use drugs to prevent and treat some of the nation's leading health problems.

In addition to casting doubt on notions such as lowering cholesterol to prevent heart disease and normalizing blood sugar to protect diabetics, the studies involving well-known drugs such as Avandia and Vytorin have also rekindled concern about whether new medications are being tested adequately before being allowed on the market.

"We definitely need to pause and reassess our assumptions about what is best for patients," said Harlan M. Krumholz, a professor of medicine at Yale University. "Clearly we have more to learn."

No one is arguing that common strategies such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar are unnecessary for many patients. But a number of researchers question whether too many Americans are being prescribed drugs, or combinations of drugs, including medications that have not been clearly shown to extend or improve life.

Washington Post

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/18/AR2008021801942.html

---

We have had findings about questionable relationships between medical schools, doctors, and big pharma before and even promises of change.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Notwithstanding hereditary factors, health can be determined by diet, exercise,

and lifestyle rather than pharmaceuticals.

[whistle]

2. If that is the case, then why are drugs prescribed to patients, just for

...the placebo effect? My God, what a racket!

[bemildred]

3. Hey, it pays very well, what's the problem? nt

[flashl]

4. Perhaps schools should improve policies?

Studies say physicians are being influenced

During their first week of medical school, these students faced their very first professional dilemma: Does the presence of marketing materials and the offer of a free meal by a pharmaceutical company representative create a potential conflict of interest for physicians in the care of their patients because they may be more likely to prescribe a specific drug as a result of this exposure?

Many physicians believe their level of professionalism and integrity would not allow such a small token to influence their medical judgment. Recent studies, however, have shown that the prescribing behavior of physicians may be more highly influenced by meals and gifts than physicians often realize. These studies are consistent with years of marketing research that show how all of us are affected by product advertising.

---

Many U.S. medical schools lack industry money rules

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Only about a third of U.S. medical schools have policies aimed at curbing conflicts of interest arising from their financial ties with companies like drug and medical device makers, researchers said on Tuesday.

Such businesses cultivate deep financial relationships with medical schools. Among other things, industry often relies on academic researchers to conduct studies that may help win government approval for drugs that could generate billions of dollars in sales.

The researchers asked 125 U.S. medical schools about their policies governing financial ties with industry. Eighty-six schools responded to the 2006 survey.

Only 38 percent had adopted a policy covering financial interests held by the institution. Thirty-seven percent were working on adopting such a policy, and the final 25 percent were doing nothing.

This situation may be the same as the credit cards. Several years ago, parents noticed students obtaining large number of credit cards and creating unmanageable debt. At first, students were blamed for being irresponsible. Later it was learned that schools allowed card companies onto campuses and were financially benefiting from the amount of a student’s indebtedness. In the same manner as recent Sallie Mae scandals.

[mattfromnossa]

5. the pharmaceutical companies

have thrown the entire concept of ethics out the window. the greed and callousness of these companies is truly unbelievable.