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Nature 447, 512-513 (31 May 2007) | doi:10.1038/447512a; Published online 30 May 2007

Open Innovation Challenges

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Weighing up the evidence

Heidi Ledford

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A meta-analysis of clinical trials for the diabetes drug Avandia has hinted at possible cardiovascular risks; but how clear is the study, and how should meta-analyses be viewed against clinical trials?

The day after concerns about Avandia hit the news, the emergency room at New York City's Bellevue Hospital was even more hectic than usual. Patients with diabetes filed in and asked to discontinue their medication while the phone rang with calls from other Avandia users.