Nine out of 10 scientists who supported the Avandia drug, linked to the laboratory
Most authors did not reveal their relationship with the pharmacist
GSK manufacturer headquarters in London.(Photo: Reuters)
Updated Friday 03/19/2010 13:12 (CET)
Reuters |Elmundo.es
London |MADRID.- Since a study related in 2007 the drug addiction drug with an increased risk of heart attacks, the controversial medication has not ceased to be in the mouth of the medical community.The last data about this antidiabetic appears in the last issue of the magazine 'British Medical Journal', which reveals that nine out of ten scientists who were in favor of Avandia had economic links with the manufacturer laboratory, the British Glaxosmithkline (GSK).
The drug helps diabetics to control their blood sugar levels, but some works have indicated that it contributes to an increase in heart attacks in some people.In fact, there is currently a debate on whether it is convenient to withdraw it from the market due to the complications observed, although the British regulatory body continues to recommend its use.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota (USA), a scientific organization that does not depend on commercial sponsorships, analyzed 202 articles published in scientific journals, including editorials and letters, which commented on the risk of heart attacks linked to the use of Avandia since 2007.According to this analysis, 94% of the authors who demonstrated in favor of the product had some type of economic link with pharmaceutical companies involved in the treatment of diabetes and 87% with the British manufacturer GSK, specifically.
On the contrary, most scientists who expressed critical opinions towards Avandia had no conflicts of interest.
Likewise, 25 of 29 articles in which a rival drug, Atos, from the American Eli Lilly laboratory was recommended, to replace Avandia, they also had economic ties with the latter.
For Mohammed Murak, a medical professor who directed the study, even more serious is the fact that very few scientists had revealed their conflicts of interest by recommending one or another medication.This expert points out that it would be advisable to withdraw municipal advance.However, a manufacturer spokesman recalls that seven tests carried out since 2007 had not demonstrated any increase in cardiovascular episodes as a result of their use.
The work published by 'British Medical Journal' concludes that there is a clear and strong link between the orientation and the point of view expressed by researchers and the existence of conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies."This finding underlines the need to improve this aspect and make clear the links of each one to increase confidence in scientific research."
