Concerns about methods used

I would like to share some information regarding the BMJ news article about a draft “article in press” recently withdrawn from the Gastroenterology website.1

Merck/MSD encourages and supports scientific discussion and debate that contributes to the ongoing care of patients with type 2 diabetes and fully supports the peer review process. The company submitted a letter to the editor of Gastroenterology to express concerns about the scientific methodology used in the exploratory analysis presented in the draft article. The letter was submitted for consideration only and contained no statement on whether the journal should publish the article.

The BMJ article describes concerns raised by scientists at two drug companies regarding the methodology used to develop the exploratory analysis in the Gastroenterology draft article. Readers might like to know that the European Association for the Study of Diabetes independently posted a statement on their website on 16 March that raised scientific concerns about the Gastroenterology draft article.2

The BMJ article also referenced information posted online on 4 March by the German Diabetes Society in reference to the draft article on the Gastroenterology website. The German Diabetes Society updated their statement on 7 March, with additional guidance for physicians and patients.3