BMJ  2006;333 (8 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7558.0-f

Editor's choice

Can we tame the monster?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

What can we learn from the New England Journal of Medicine's correction last week of its study on rofecoxib (BMJ 2006;333: 12, 1 Jul[Free Full Text])? The simple message is that increased cardiovascular risks were visible as early as four months into treatment, rather than the 18 months that Merck had claimed. But rofecoxib was withdrawn two years ago, so why all the fuss?

Well, reputations are at stake. The journal wants to show that it had made no mistakes in peer reviewing the study. And Merck, having already incurred financial loss, needs to protect its share price. But the stand-off between journal and drug company is just one symptom of a wider disease: an overpowerful, under-regulated drug industry and a research establishment and publishing industry in its thrall.

Between the interests of the public and the commercial interests of drug companies stand two potential . . . [Full text of this article]

Fiona Godlee, editor

(fgodlee@bmj.com)


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Rapid Responses:

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BMJ Rapid Response: are there any lessons to be learnt here ?
J Malde
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Lack of balanced information available to regulatory bodies
Raymond G Holder
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The monster is free
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The continual surprise
Lester A Firkins
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Re: BMJ Rapid Response: are there any lessons to be learnt here ?
Tony Delamothe
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The sequestration thesis
Arthur M. Schafer
bmj.com, 14 Jul 2006 [Full text]
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Roy M Poses
bmj.com, 22 Jul 2006 [Full text]
Regulation of drug companies
Dominic C Horne
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Re: Re: BMJ Rapid Response: are there any lessons to be learnt here ?
J Malde
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Taming Who?
David T Healy
bmj.com, 29 Jul 2006 [Full text]
Journals Must Exercise Their Authority as Gatekeepers
Vera H. Sharav
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