Sir,
I read the above article with interest.
My main concern is that the authors did not write it. We learn in the acknowledgements that Matthew Cunningham of Alpha-Plus Medical Communications Ltd, with funding from Novartis, provided services including ‘preparation of a first draft’.1 An internet search for this company shows that they claim ‘complete medical communication service for all marketing needs’ (www.biopharmamarket.com/@offers/services/view/437) and are now part of the Fishawack group. Fishawack2 tell us that they recently recruited Jo Jarvis from the pharmaceutical industry as UK Director, Stakeholder Strategies, and that her recent achievements include serving as faculty for a conference entitled, ‘Inaugural West coast forum on Defining Compliant and Effective Interactions with Thought Leaders and Key Opinion Leaders to Support Product Development and Commercialization’.
The subject of ‘medical ghostwriting’ and the potential effects on healthcare delivery is a controversial area,3 and the publication of this article in the college journal a matter for the Editor. Although I am reassured that the authors ‘take full responsibility’ for what has been written and recognise that the contribution of medical writing services funded by Novartis was mentioned in the acknowledgements, I feel that Mr Meyers’ claim to have no conflict of interest is questionable on the basis of services rendered.
References
Meyer CH, Holz FG . Preclinical aspects of anti-VEGF agents for the treatment of wet AMD: ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Eye 2011; 25: 661–672.
New stakeholder relations division at Fishawack Group. Press release April 2011, www.fishawack.com.
Goldacre B ‘Medical ghostwriters who build a brand’ 18th September 2011 www.guardian.co.uk.
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Vallance, J. Comment on ‘Preclinical aspects of anti-VEGF agents for the treatment of wet AMD: ranibizumab and bevacizumab’. Eye 26, 167 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.193
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2011.193
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