Turns out that
GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C.'s former Philadelphia-based R&D chief, Tachi Yamada, was the GSK executive who complained to bosses of North Carolina university scientist John Buse after Buse questioned GSK's drug Avandia. (Reported in the
Boston Globe today, and detailed
here at Pharmalot). From Vioxx and other past pharma controversies, we know that pharmaceutical executives sometimes put direct, behind-the-scenes pressure on scientists or their bosses over negative research. The practice may be tacitly accepted, if not explicity promoted, inside the companies. (See Inquirer story
here about Vioxx tactics at Merck & Co. Inc.). It's certainly not unusual for companies to pressure each other. But in the highly regulated drug business, relations with medical professionals and scientists is closely scrutinzed. Researchers are not merely business partners. They have their own set of ethics that call for "open scientific debate," which are somewhat stricter than business ethics. GSK now says it regrets if Yamada said anything to Buse that "was contrary to the spirit of open, scientific debate.” Sounds similar to what Merck said after its chief medical officer, Louis Sherwood of Upper Gwynedd, got caught haranguing scientists criticial of Vioxx. So, was Yamada crossing a line, or just doing his job? What do you think? -
Thomas Ginsberg
