Posted by Alan on October 13, 2002, at 2:47:49
In reply to Re: evidence, posted by Dr. Bob on October 4, 2002, at 19:03:18
> > I'm getting a bit concerned about the Lexapro thread. Statements are being made, not as opinions, but as statements of fact from an authoritative source which just aren't remotely justifiable by the evidence. I have no problem having robust discussions about the interpretation of data, and doing my bit to give an alternative point of view, but vulnerable people are turning for advice to a sales representative who is saying things quite at odds with the research.
>
> What I like to see is discussion that's open enough to include alternative points of view. Whom then to trust can be a hard -- and subjective -- question:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#trust
>
> But on a site like this, that's the reader's prerogative -- and responsibility.
>
> As far as evidence, I think there's a continuum from (1) lots of evidence for to (2) not much evidence one way or another or evidence both ways to (3) lots of evidence against. The more towards (3), the more problematic the statement. If you think misinformation like that has been posted, please let me know (in addition to posting an alternative point of view). How does that sound?
>
> Bob
================================================Dear Dr. Bob,
Most consumers here (which is what babble is mostly made up of) know nothing in the way of how drugs are approved and about test result validities except to trust the FDA and what the drug co's tell us. Babblers are relatively vulnerable by nature of their disorders/diseases and while having critical thinking skills, are not provided the following information - the foundation of which you base your policies regarding commercial "face time" are concerned.
With an undeniably unhealthy (some argue incestuous) relationship between the drug co's and the FDA where drug test results are allowed to be cherry - picked (after the criteria for each new test moves the goal posts to acheive more and more desireable results) and all of the most desireable results are sent to the FDA for approval, how can there be any transparency of content for consumers to trust - most importantly coming from a pharmrep?
Certainly you know the practice allowed by the FDA for co's to throw out undesireable results and change test criteria until they get the results they need (not to mention hiding failures or in the Paxil case, attempting to throw out the failed test results and getting caught by their own internal memos regarding the results of these failed tests)....
So how does this troubling FDA/Pharm co. policy fit into your continuium of allowing "credible" evidence to argue for or against anything at all by a salesman (pharmrep) considering your criteria?
This is not to say that they are inherently corrupt but only that we deserve better and need the most credible sources of information for your illustrious site to maintain it's crediblity.
Visiting doctors (that have exposed their financial or otherwise intersts in a drug company) would seemingly be unqualified to give unbiased information. Why not limit advice and support from those docs that have their hands clean?
Or are you of the opinion that there are so very few of them left that this is an unreasonable request?
There are enough obstacles standing between the doctor/patient relationship such as time constraints, commercial interests, etc, already as I read here at PB. That relationship doesn't need to be complicated further by consumers being fed "face time" to complicate matters further. The saturation of paxil and zoloft adds on TV and Radio, and Newsprint isn't enough face time already? Don't patients deserve to have a sanctuary still waiting for them at here at PB?
Please reconsider your policy of allowing overt commercial interests to permeate this prestigious bboard - a board full of sophisticated and newbies alike....if for no other reason, in the interest of protecting the vulnerable population. Isn't that most of us here? Us that would feel the need to visit a psychological help/support bboard?
Sincerely,
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:6905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7679.html