22 July 2004
Clinical research on trial
The antidepressant paroxetine (also known as Paxil or Seroxat) hit the headlines in the United States when the Food and Drug Administration advised that it should not be used in under-18s. This followed reports that unpublished clinical trial data reflected badly on the drug. These events have raised serious doubts about the reporting of research and the transparency of drug regulatory systems in both the United States and the United Kingdom. This week's Commentary draws some lessons from the saga. The bottom line is that regulatory bodies, manufacturers, those running clinical trials and the journals that publish the results must ensure that when doctors and patients choose a drug, they have all the information needed to make that choice.
A question of balance
PAUL RAMCHANDANI
How safe are the medicines that are prescribed to children?
Nature 430, 401–402 (2004); doi:10.1038/430401a
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