News bites
BMJ 2005; 331 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0509312 (Published 01 September 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;331:0509312
Students in southeast Europe have insufficient research knowledge
Medical students in southeast Europe generally have poor knowledge of research methods, according to a study published in the BMJ. Researchers surveyed 4307 medical students from five southeastern European countries. Most had positive attitudes towards science despite poor knowledge of research techniques. Increasing emphasis on critical thinking and scientific methods may help, said the authors. Doing so will help students in adopting evidence based medicine techniques favoured by the European Union (BMJ 2005;331:195-6).
Pfizer warned about false advertising
The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) warned pharmaceutical company Pfizer about its “misleading promotion” of the antibiotic Zyvox (linezolid). A Pfizer advertisement was printed in a professional journal but did not include sufficient information about the drug's risks, said the FDA in a July letter. The advert also claimed that Zyvox can be used to treat more infections than those for which it was approved and implied, without evidence, that Zyvox is superior to its competitors. The FDA asked Pfizer to remove the adverts and to send out proper information in its place. Zyvox is used to treat skin infections and two types of pneumonia, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Side effects include anaemia and accumulation of lactic acid in the blood (www.fda.gov).
China considers banning medicine adverts
The Chinese Ministry of Health is considering banning medical treatment advertisements, which flood the media with exaggerated and false claims. Health Minister Gao Qiang said that the ministry …
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