We’re all pharmacologists now

Endlessly repeated, a half truth can mutate to dogma and then unquestioned “fact.” So, having become what everybody thinks they know, the half truth is free to distort thought, discussion, and action.

Into this category falls the notion that the drug industry conducts most of the key testing of its products. This is sort of true but only from the narrow perspective that equates research with steering committees, consent forms, confidence intervals, and publication.

Such “official” research may, of course, be far removed from everyday clinical care. And …