Why we need to share [u][i]All Data[/i][/u] from clinical trials

[AussieNeil]

"In 2001, a “landmark” study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry purported to show the safety and effectiveness of using a common antidepressant to treat adolescents. But soon after its publication, both researchers and journalists raised questions about the research. And in an article we published today in the BMJ, we’ve shown that the original published findings were biased and misleading.

Known as Study 329, the randomised controlled trial compared paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax, among other brand names) with a placebo and an older antidepressant (imipramine) for treatment of adolescent depression. It was funded by SmithKline Beecham – now GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – the manufacturer of paroxetine.

:

:

If other trials are found to contain similar errors – whether intentional or inadvertent – it might be time to change the requirements for submissions to drug regulators (such as Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, the US FDA, and the European Medicines Agency), who are responsible for evaluating the safety and efficacy of prescribed drugs.

Indeed, if other re-analysis reach the sort of conclusions we did, it should become clear to editors of medical journals that trial results should not be published unless all the data are available for independent scrutiny both before and after publication. Peer reviewers also need to become far more critical of manuscripts they review.

Undoubtedly, there would be resistance to such changes. But scrutiny is warranted for drugs that are likely to be prescribed to millions of patients with potentially adverse outcomes and limited benefits."

(My emphasis)

More from Jon Jureidini, Research Leader, Critical and Ethical Mental Health research group, Robinson Research Institute and Melissa Raven, Postdoctoral research fellow, both at University of Adelaide here:

theconversation.com/antidep...

This is why we should support the efforts of organisations like All Trials: alltrials.net

Neil

Photo: Sometimes an independent 'bird's eye view' is needed; an Australian Pelican aloft

[Psmithuk]

This is interesting - being a cynic I've assumed this is the norm anyway.

PS. Beautiful shot of the bird. I imagine it is quite a sight to have one flying overhead, but wonder what their 'bombs' might do to your car if they hit it - or you.

A wonderful bird is the pelican

Its beak can hold more than its belly can.

It can hold in its beak

Enough for a week

A wonderful bird is the pelican

(or my husband's version: 'But I don't know how the h**l it can')

[wroxham-gb in reply to Psmithuk]

I'm flying high in the sky

Having just eaten a pie

And still room for much much more

Where shall in go to eat tonight

And afterwards will I be able to continue my flight

So says the pelican.

Loved the rymme Chrisgranny, you got me to do a small one.

Super photo neil

Sue

[Psmithuk in reply to wroxham-gb]

I've just looked it up on Wikipedia, and it was written byDixon Lanier Merritt, an American writer and newspaper editor!

[wroxham-gb in reply to Psmithuk]

There was I thinking you wrote it. Seriously.

Sue

[Psmithuk in reply to wroxham-gb]

Sorry to disappoint!