Studies funded by pharmaceutical companies were almost eight times less likely to reach unfavorable conclusions than non-profit funded studies and 1.4 times more likely to reach favorable conclusions. One in five articles contained overstatements of quantitative results. The retrospective methods used in most studies allow investigators and pharmaceutical companies an early look at clinical results, which allows them to selectively identify the trials most likely to yield positive outcomes and fund only those trials. Also, publication of studies with positive results is much more likely than studies with negative results. Pharmaceutical companies influence drug research in many ways including providing unrestricted research grants, education funds, and consultant fees paid to investigators.
Researchers can also receive travel money for scientific meetings, honoraria, and even stock.
In compensation, the companies may require the right to review manuscripts before they are submitted for publication. Pharmaceutical companies also collaborate with investigators in designing study protocols. In the long run, a history of use may be just as important as expensive scientific studies in proving the worth of natural products. All Rights Reserved. The materials in this web site are intended for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional.