Conflicts of interest that arise from industry-funded medical research are widespread and can affect the outcomes of the research, according to a new study.

The study found that scientific studies funded by an industry-related source are close to four times more likely to yield results that favor the industry than those sponsored by independent sources.

Researchers analyzed data from eight individual articles that had addressed the association between industry sponsorship and research outcome. They combined data from these studies, which together amounted to 1,140 original studies, in order to reach a conclusion that may be more reliable than the original studies alone.

Results showed that industry-sponsored studies were 3.6 times more likely to have results that favored the industry than studies with no financial ties to the industry.

While researchers noted that industry sponsorship of medical research has contributed to scientific progress, conflicts of interest presented by financial ties to the industry may undermine the integrity of the research.

They stressed that in order to preserve the benefits and future advancement of scientific research, measures will need to be taken to understand and monitor the consequences of industry-backed research. As a first step, they recommend that investigators and sponsors fully disclose the nature of their relationship and results from clinical trials be made available in a publicly accessible database.

Journal of the American Medical Association January 22, 2003;289:454-465

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The traditional medical paradigm is fatally flawed. Relying on drugs and surgeries to correct diseases caused by poor diet and stress is a prescription for disaster. If you haven't seen the signs around you please take notice. Health costs are rising through the roof, and shortly we will be spending over $2 trillion a year for health care in the United States. It is safe to estimate that over three-fourths of this money is wasted on short-term fixes, primarily drugs and surgeries, which in no way address the long-term cause of the problem. If those funds were redirected to optimize food and stress concerns, we would have more than enough funds left over to help the more than 40 million uninsured Americans. The above JAMA editorial provides a solid review of the pervasive influence of drug companies. By being aware of their self-interested motives you can keep yourself from falling into their deceptive traps. Related Articles: The Doors Of Perception: Why Americans Will Believe Almost Anything Media Coverage of Drugs Highly Biased USA Today Exposes Conflicts of Interest in FDA Drug Approvals Conflicts of Interest and the Public Trust Medical Research or Drug Company Secrets?