Mens Sana Monographs III:2-4, July-Oct 2005.
ISSN 0973-1229.
ISBN 81-89753-10-X.
The Academia-Industry Symposium
Medical Practice, Psychiatry and
the Pharmaceutical Industry: And Ever the Trio Shall Meet-II
Public Welfare Agenda or Corporate Research Agenda?
Ajai
R. Singh
Shakuntala A. Singh
http://www.msmonographs.org/article.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=1;spage=41;epage=80;aulast=Singh
Contents
THE NINTH MONOGRAPH
Musings
Abstract
Introduction
Can
Academia call the Shots?
Public Welfare, or Corporate?
Academia’s
naiveté
Contrary Findings and The Olivieri Case
Doctoring
of Research Findings
Selective publishing, delay
Under reporting
Complete
disclosure
Multi-centred trials
Ghost writing, duplicate publication and industry
Access to data and control over publication
Negative drug trials and the porcupine dance
Remedial measures
Legal action
Law suits against industry
Design and control of publication
Connection between funding and positive
findings
Concluding Remarks
References
Questions That
This Monograph Raises
........................................................................................
Musings
The Story of a Young Man
A bright
young man decided he wanted to make the removal of suffering his mission. He also loved to understand human nature. So he
chose psychiatry as his branch.
He studied hard. He mastered his textbooks, he attended the lectures
and tutorials, he attended the ward rounds and grand rounds, he took and presented case histories, he admired his teachers,
he looked up to the greats in his field with awe.
He wanted to do research and went about it in right earnest. But
when the time came for publication, he was not the principal author. The Head of department was. He wanted to pursue
further research, but his Head was interested in clinical trials that got money for the department, and free sponsored trips
for him. The young man too got the sponsored trips to conferences to present papers. And since his Head was well known, his
papers were appreciated, and got him further opportunities. The pharmaceutical companies took charge of financial matters,
and he learnt the tricks of the trade quickly.
He wanted posts and publications, and his flexible nature and
compliant attitude with his bosses ensured both. He got to know what was current coin in his field, what was in vogue in research,
what was most recent, and starting mouthing it on suitable occasions in conferences, seminars and workshops to get approving
nodes from his seniors. He started climbing the ropes first gradually, then with greater speed. He enjoyed the heady feel
of success as he climbed up the ladder, knowing and learning quickly which side the bread was buttered. And also learned whose
feathers not to ruffle, and whom to cozy with.
[Read further at:
http://www.msmonographs.org/article.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=1;spage=39;epage=40;aulast=Singh ]
