In a study published last February in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a group of experts warned women that if they stopped taking their antidepression drugs they seriously raised their risk of relapse. But The Wall Street Journal notes that most of the authors have long-standing financial ties to drug companies that make antidepressants. None of those ties were revealed in the study. The authors and the drug companies say that the ties did not influence the study. But JAMA noted that it requires authors to reveal their financial ties and is publishing an explanation it received from the lead author. The drug industry routinely creates business ties with key thought leaders who are seen as tremendously influential in guiding patients' use of therapeutics. Those ties have come under a spotlight as the industry grapples with claims that they are buying influence to expand drug markets.
- here's The Wall Street Journal article [1] for more (sub. req.)
Links:
[1] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115257995935002947.html?mod=health_hs_research_science