Search Results for "off-label"
‘A blow to [STAT’s] credibility’: MD listed as author of op-ed praising drug reps didn’t write it. Ghostwriting/PR influence
[Editor’s note: In response to our reporting, STAT has retracted the flawed op-ed that is the subject of this post and revised its policies on authorship and conflict of interest disclosure in its opinion columns. See here for details.] The physician whom STAT lists as author of a now-retracted op-ed praising the vital role of […]
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Tone deaf again on pharma conflict of interest: STAT piece praising drug reps fails to disclose industry payments
[Editor’s note: The STAT article that’s the subject of this post has now been retracted following our investigation showing that the physician listed as the author did not write the piece, and that the content of the article was initially crafted with the assistance of a public relations firm.] I woke up this morning after a […]
5-Star Friday: thoroughness & thoughtfulness
This is a unique Five Star Friday in that we have examples of great reporting from both the breaking news end of the spectrum, as well as a long-term and in-depth investigative project. We also have two stories that scored very highly with our reviewers. This is important because the two diseases covered — Alzheimer’s […]
Data-mining expedition reports striking ketamine gold, but readers shouldn’t rush to judgment
A convoluted study and lack of cause and effect didn’t stop UCSD from making strong claims about ketamine.
First large-scale population analysis reinforces ketamine's reputation as antidepressant
A pat on the back to HealthDay for thorough report on ulcerative colitis drug
All it was missing was the cost of the drug.
Arthritis Drug Shows Promise for Ulcerative Colitis
CBS’s anecdotal story on botox for major depression omits major conflicts of interest
Relying on just one expert source invites trouble, particularly when the source has multiple ties to the intervention and stands to gain financially from its approval.
Botox tested to help treat depression and social anxiety
Allergan announcement on botox for depression obscures negative results
The trial didn’t hit its target of statistically significant benefit over placebo at 6 weeks.
Allergan Reports Topline Phase II Data Supporting Advancement of BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
‘Fake breakthrough, fake news:’ One physician-researcher’s takeaway on news coverage of MS drug Ocrevus
The biggest health news of last week was undoubtedly the FDA approval of Roche’s Ocrevus for a severe form of multiple sclerosis. The New York Times, the Associated Press, CNN, NBC News, Fox News, STAT News, HealthDay, TIME.com, and Reuters–and many others–wrote about the drug, also known as ocrelizumab. When we peeked behind the headlines, though, we […]
5-Star Friday • Informed patients & uninformed President? These journalists nail it!
It’s been a month since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and I’m beginning to think it meant we were in for 6 weeks of great health care journalism (rather than 6 more weeks of winter). Last week was inspiring and this week had more excellent articles than we could write about. So don’t miss the links down at […]
Reuters Health provides balanced look at alternative remedies for premature ejaculation
The story made clear that there were limitations to the data, and that the placebo effect could have played a big role.
Alternative medicine might help treat premature ejaculation
Ending journalism’s bad trip — why it’s important to communicate responsibly about the health effects of psychedelic drugs
We’ve seen some trippy coverage over the years when it comes to the health effects of psychedelic drugs. I’ll never forget Dr. Manny Alvarez’s Fox News interview with Chris Kilham, the self-proclaimed “Medicine Hunter,” who said he was swallowed by an anaconda while tripping on Amazonian ayahusca. That’s a hallucinatory brew which according to Kilham […]
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With media watchdogs on the sidelines, pharma-funded advocacy groups pushed Cures Act to the finish line
The passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which sailed through the House of Representatives last week on its way to a future White House signing ceremony, is due in no small measure to the activities of hundreds of patient advocacy groups and assorted other stakeholders that worked in overdrive the past two years pushing […]
University release takes admirably cautious approach in describing leukemia treatment response
The release makes it abundantly clear that this is a small, preliminary trial result while providing a good description of benefits and an adequate overview of the trial.
In Highly Lethal Type of Leukemia, Cancer Gene Predicts Treatment Response
NY Times gives little scrutiny to industry-funded eczema drug studies
Patient anecdotes with extremely positive results throw the balance way off–along with the lack of independent opinions in a story weighted with drug industry sources.
New Drug for Severe Eczema Is Successful in 2 New Trials
Duke Health release earns applause for clear disclosure, but we wanted more info on harms and cost associated with this eye treatment
This news release earns praise for a very forthright disclosure, and solid reporting on the benefits and evidence, but it could have done more to inform readers about associated harms and the price tag for this expensive biologic drug.
