From the latest BMJ:
Findings that a leading Harvard professor of psychiatry failed to report substantial payments that he received from drug companies has caused Harvard Medical School, one of its affiliated hospitals, and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to come under fire.
An investigation by the US senator Charles Grassley showed that the psychiatrist, Joseph Biederman, and two of his colleagues, Thomas Spencer and Timothy Wilens, had altogether received more than $4.2m (£2.1m;
2.7m) from drug companies since 2000.
The financial disclosure forms filed by the three doctors, according to Mr Grassley, “were a mess” and made it seem that they had received only “a couple of hundred thousand dollars” in the past seven years. . .Professor Biederman, at the centre of the scandal, has been widely recognised as one of the most influential psychiatrists in the world. He is a leading proponent of the diagnosis of paediatric bipolar disorder and he is currently conducting a study of the antipsychotic, quetiapine (Seroquel) in children aged 4 to 6 years with bipolar disorder.
Absolutely sickening.
I agree. Especially since these professors are promoting giving powerful dangerous poorly-tested drugs to young children.
I am absolutely astounished, not surprised, but it just makes me sick since I am a BP patient who weaned myself from drugs over 4 years ago! The fact that they are doing a “study” and promoting these drugs for children is extremely dangerous and UNETHICAL. As an adult who took them, I can tell you that they can KILL YOU. Once I weaned myself I did not have the suicidal thoughts that were prevelant while on them! I can also tell you that fish oil and flax oil have helped stablilize my moods!!!
Monet