For a long time there have been questions about how certain new mental disorders become classified in psychiatry's recognized "bible" of definitions - the DSM or Diagnostic & Statistical Manual.
Now a study reported in the New York Times shows that "more than half the psychiatrists who took part in developing a widely used diagnostic manual for mental disorders had financial ties to drug companies before or after the manual was published."
The study's lead author said that although the study could not prove that the psychiatrists' ties influenced the manual's development, "what we're saying is it's outrageous that the manual doesn't have a disclosure policy."
Posted by schwitz at April 21, 2006 05:48 AM | TrackBackThe conflicts never cease --
From the Center for the Advancement of Health's HealthBehaviorBlog this date:
The CIA used to be the government's rogue agency. Today the title must be passed to FDA. Once again, in the face of strong evidence to the contrary, this most political of all administration science agencies has declared day to be night -- this time that marijuana has no potential to relieve pain in cancer and AIDS patients.
But isn't this the same FDA that so far is resisting misguided calls from women demanding approval of custom-made hormonal compounds? Yes, it is. Because there is no evidence that they work. At least that's what the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has declared. And who doesn't trust her gynecologist?
But if you go to the ACOG Web site, it will take five clicks to unearth the fact that Wyeth, the maker of FDA-approved hormone replacement pills, is among 49 drug and device makers who are "Friends of ACOG" – for a mere $3,000 a year. This is not Abramoff-class money, but it is enough to raise questions and suggest unpleasant answers.