With the BMJ and Bad Science we need your help to show the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee the true scale of the problem of missing clinical data by collating a list of examples.
The BMJ has documented problems the Cochrane Collaboration had in receiving enough data to fully scrutinise the clinical effectiveness of Tamiflu; but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
We would like to see any report of obstruction, from any researchers or companies, which you are aware of. This can be from your own work, the work of others that you have read, or media reports.
Could I ask you to fill in our quick online form, we will then collate the details and publish in this publically available spreadsheet.
Together we can convince the UK government to take this problem seriously.
Here is an example
Rofecoxib
In 2001 NICE issued guidance to the NHS recommending the use of yclooxygenase (Cox) II selective inhibitors, including rofecoxib, for some patients. Following the voluntary withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) by Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) on the 30 September 2004 this drug will no longer be available in the UK.
2005 – The introduction of celecoxib and rofecoxib was associated with a reduction in the prescription volume for naproxen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen. However, overall quarterly prescription volume for these five NSAIDs increased by 0.76 million, and we estimate that quarterly expenditure increased by £20.4 million more than would have been expected if overall NSAID volume had remained constant. (read more)
No Comments