So Who Do You Believe? Pharmaceutical Ethics

There are various reasons why many people areWhile in the past physicians have used these articles
skeptical about taking prescribed medications. Someto determine drugs of choice for a particular patient,
believe that there are just too many chemicals inthe FDA will look into the efficacy and safety of this
them and would prefer a more natural approach.practice to decide its future worth.
Others feel that prescribed drugs are being used tooWhat needs to be taken into consideration is how
freely. What many people have not consideredmuch attention does the professional signing this
though is the fact that they may be being deceivedresearch really give to its content? He or she could
regarding the quality of the prescribed medications.be recommending a medication that will reach the
We all assume that medical research is documentedpeople at large and could prove not only mildly
and properly researched at least when it comes todetrimental but also downright dangerous. After all,
inventing new drugs and treatments. After all, weprofessionals are needed in medical and
have strict government regulations in place to ensurepharmaceutical research to prevent such an
our safety. It appears that we may not be aseventuality.
protected as we may assume.If their research means so little, then why not
It has been found that a particular pharmaceuticaldispense with it and let the ghostwriters do the
company has been using employees to ghostwriteresearch and clear the drug for open market? All of
research material and then having the appropriatethe current indicators are pointing in this direction right
medical personnel attach their names to it thusnow. No claims can or should be made that this is
making it appear as valid research information. Yikes!happening in every pharmaceutical company as they
What makes it even more disturbing is that it doesn'teach have individual moral and ethical standards. We
seem to be an isolated incident. Apparently, there arethe public can only hope that the companies making
numerous claims that ghostwriting medical research issuch prescribed drugs fall into the "good moral"
a common practice within the pharmaceutical industry.category.
Not only can this practice be viewed as alarming andOne good aspect is that at least this deception is
dangerous but using another's research is alsobeing brought to light. Other pharmaceutical
unethical. Coming to basic facts, it is downright scarycompanies that are walking a fine line on this issue
because it involves public health and safety. So far,may think twice about the consequences of their
little news press has been given to the potentiallyactions. For all of our sakes let's hope that they do.
grave consequences of these practices, but the USWant more news on Pharmaceutical Ethics? Have a
Food and Drug Administration are now in the processcomment or question you'd like to share? Come join
of determining whether to allow the circulation ofothers at Boomer Yearbook for simple and effective
peer-reviewed journal articles to be used as guides.coaching tips and strategies.