Pharmaceutical companies pay �ghost writers" to put their name on
scientific articles, publicized as independent science. This is revealed by
two British newspapers. The problem with this kind of hidden advertising is
hard to avoid, because the scientific world of publication is based on trust,
says the scientific editor of the the weekly magazine.
Hundreds of scientific articles are written by �ghost writers� paid by the pharmaceutical industry. This is revealed in the British newspapers The Observer and The Guardian. According to the two newpapers articles in scientific magazines are presented as independent science, even if the writers is paid to put their name on the articles. This way the pharmaceutical companies get hidden advertising for specific medicines.
� It is no surprise to me that this happens, says Torben V. Schroeder, scientific editor of the (Danish) weekly magazine Ugeskrift for Laeger. The two British newspapers have estimated, that almost half of all articles in the medical magazines are written by ghostwriters, and Torben V. Schroeder is shocked that the amount is so high.
The Danish Ugeskrift for Laeger is, like so many other magazines, bound to the so called Vancouver-rules, demanding that writers must sign that they have contributed to the science behind the articles, their put their name on.
� All the scientific world of publication is based on trust, and if the writers sign with their name, we can do nothing but believe them, says Torben V. Schroeder.
Source: Inge Methling, Politiken (10.12.03), 1. sektion, s. 7; Boersen (10.12.03), s. 10.
10.12.2003
Ekstra Bladet (Danish newspaper like The Sun)
British ban on "happiness pills"
The British authorities will prohibit the prescribing of the anti depressants
SSRI's for children. Danish politicians are not in favour
Ritzau/ - 10:10 - 10. dec. 2003
The British authorities will prohibit doctor's prescribing SSRI's for children, because these pills are known to cause suicidal thoughts.
The Danish authorities know about the British decision, but will not take precautions with "happiness pills" for children.
Great Britain is the only country in the EU who has chosen to ban the SSRI's for children.
The Danish Medical Board (Laegemiddelstyrelsen) is awaiting a European expert meeting in January and another one in USA in February, before the board will decide, whether the Danish rules on "happiness pills" for children must be changed.
MayDay
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