Paper Trail Health

Health Propaganda, Exposed

Guideline thresholds & controversial drugs · Published 2013-11-21 · By Henry Rearden

Statin guideline panel: BMJ found 8 of 15 members had drug-industry ties

Source: Jeanne Lenzer, The BMJ, November 21, 2013

Before you act: Don't stop, replace, or delay any treatment without talking to your doctor.

“in all, eight of the 15 panelists had industry ties.”

Evidence level

Investigative news reporting. Not a clinical study.

Funding

News article in The BMJ (journal published by BMJ Publishing Group). No external funding stated.

What was published

A news investigation into financial ties of the panel that wrote the 2013 U.S. cholesterol guideline, which widened statin eligibility.

What it shows

"The chairman and one of two additional co-chairs ... had ties to the drug industry at the time they were asked to lead the panel. And, in all, eight of the 15 panelists had industry ties." The chair "acknowledged ... that before being empanelled he had financial ties to Abbott, AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and Schering-Plough."

What it does not show

It does not show that the ties changed the recommendations. The article carries a published correction (see the BMJ page).

Documented counterpoints

The chair told the BMJ: "I immediately severed ties with all industry connections prior to assuming my role as chair."

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Paper Trail Health summarizes published studies, case reports, court filings and journalism for general information. It is not medical, legal or investment advice. Summaries quote the sources; a source's statements are its authors', not findings of this site. Don't stop, replace, or delay treatment without your doctor. Always read the linked original. See Standards & corrections and Disclaimer.