Negative Drug Trial Results Buried…But Not For Long
Larrian on March 1st, 2008 | Filed under Drugs
One third of anti-depressant drugs trial results are never published in medical journals or rewritten to put a favorable slant on clinical outcomes, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In a review of nearly 74 clinical trials between 1987 and 2004 for 12 antidepressants, only 38 produced positive results. The remaining studies were unpublished, or, in the case of 36, only 3 were published revealing accurate results, while 11 were turned around and given a “make-over” touting their success.
So if you review the literature, it appears that 94% of all antidepressant drug trials have positive results, when the folks at the FDA reported that only 51% were better than a placebo. Hmmm…that means you only have a 50-50 chance of feeling “happy” if you take antidepressants. Even Vegas has better odds at making you happy and without the damage to your insulin levels or cholesterol. ( okay, so you have to avoid the “all-you-can-eat buffets…)
This process is nothing new and certainly NOT relegated to the pharmaceutical field of antidepressants alone, though the information could send anyone diving off the nearest cliff. When pharmaceutical companies claim to invest over 1.7 Billion ( that’s in 2003 according to Chemical and Engineering News) just to bring ONE drug to market, you can understand the pressure to produce “happy” results, especially in publications. Too often, journal articles are subject to the approval of the research company and, in some instances, written BY them for publication.
The Wall Street Journal published this graph which I think you’ll find not only interesting, but should be in your wallet if your doctor is pushing these drugs to treat hot flashes, weight gain or some other “off label” indication.
THE CRUNCH:
This should serve as a reminder that even journal articles can be “yellowed” by the need to elevate company stock reports.
Selective Publication of Antidepressant Trials and Its Influence on Apparent Efficacy
2 Responses to “Negative Drug Trial Results Buried…But Not For Long”
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March 2nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
I recently read somewhere that over 118 Million are on antidepressants, with the vast majority not being helped by them.
What I find most alarming is that big Pharma allows marketing directly to consumers (and we - as a society - find that acceptable), especially with all those TV ads depicting happy, dancing people talking about how (insert drug of choice here) has made such a wonderful difference in their lives. Then there’s the sales pitch; “If you suffer from….. Ask your doctor about this wonderful new drug.” If not for mass marketing, people wouldn’t know to ask their doctors for these drugs.
Aside from mass marketing, I think antidepressants are overprescribed because of the hurried nature of care in the U.S… people want instant gratification and doctors are expected to do SOMETHING, anything, for patients suffering from mild to severe depression.
I’m glad you posted this because people generally have little opportunity to verify the drug companies’ claims.
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March 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I would be willing to bet that of that 118 Million, the vast majority are between the ages of 15 and 21.
My daughter attends a college that has the highest suicide rate of any college in the country (something no college would be willing to disclose to the general public). Interestingly enough, about 80% of the students on that campus have been prescribed either some sort of antidepressant — and often highly addictive ones at that — or Ritalin. There was a study done a few years back on the effects color plays on your emotions. The school decided that the dorms were to no longer have all white walls… so each room now has one wall done in an accent color. The kids refer to that as their “suicide wall.” I have no idea if that helped, but I do know that the Wannabe Doctors on most college campuses over subscribe either Ritalin or antidepressents.
Considering all that our kids are dealing with now, it’s no wonder that so many are depressed. It’s just a shame that the “solution” seems to be “drug them up,” regardless of whether or not it helps or harms.
Very timely topic! I plan to share this one with everyone on my lists!!
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