Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Education And Debate

Medical journals and pharmaceutical companies: uneasy bedfellows

BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7400.1202 (Published 29 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1202

Rapid Response:

Editing and Peer Review

Richard Smith notes that pharmaceutical advertising is often
misleading. The quality of papers in the BMJ is largely maintained through
the process of editing and peer review, and it seems strange that the drug
adverts are exempted from this. Perhaps the BMJ should consider following
the Lancet’s lead and employ an editor solely to maintain the quality of
its adverts.

Competing interests:  
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

25 August 2003
Ali Poostchi
PRHO Surgery
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth