Since the start of September I’ve had over 20 needles in my arms. I’ve had cannulas inserted, numerous ECGs, worn halters for hours and taken three different types of medication. There is nothing medically wrong with me. Am I crazy? […]
Tag: clinical trials
Liz Wager: Does the Wakefield et al case mean we should demand public access to raw data?
The latest chapter in the sad saga of the Wakefield et al paper on the MMR vaccine raises some difficult questions about access to individual patient data. It is possible that the apparent discrepancies between the patient records and the publication might have come to light a whole lot sooner, perhaps even before publication, if […]
Domhnall MacAuley on a cure for cancer found (again)
If every media report of a cure for cancer were true, we should live forever. But, the media like a headline health story, and we cannot really blame the journalists. It is largely the fault of epidemiologists, according to Joe McLaughlin (International Epidemiology Institute, Maryland USA), who laments the change in culture. He feels that […]
Trish Groves on European clinical trials
The calls to cut the red tape that ties up clinical trials in Europe grow louder and louder (see Editor’s choice, It’s time to change how Europe regulates research). Now Europe’s legislators are listening hard, and the red tape is beginning to fray. The medical research regulators (aka “national competent authorities”) in the EU’s 27 […]
Trish Groves on research in India
Just back from my first visit to India, which the Lonely Planet guide rightly says is much more of a continent than a country. Three days in Delhi and three in Mumbai barely scratched the surface, but left me resolved to return there for longer. The day before we left home Delhi was bombed by […]