Journalistic hype of health news never stops.
The latest: ABC News last week called the drug Dimebon a “miracle drug” for Alzheimer’s Disease on its website.
It was tested in about 100 people. It was only tested against placebo, not head-to-head with any other existing Alzheimer’s treatment.
ABC News didn’t interview the principal investigator in the story that aired last Thursday night. HealthDay did, and she told them: “This is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but the benefits could last for a long time. The drug appears to slow the clinical progression of the disease.”
Sounds like the PI is much more cautious than the “journalists” at ABC.
HealthDay also reported that the PI is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the company that makes Dimebon and has stock options in the company. None of this was revealed in the ABC story.
And nothing that warranted calling it a miracle.
Opinions on other issues in news, journals, PR, advertising, marketing
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
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