The Life and Times of Martin B Keller, MD - Part IV: JAACAP TV

The Life and Times of Martin B Keller, MD - Part IV: JAACAP TV

By Matthew Holford

Matthew writes exclusively for Seroxat Sufferers


I was in conversation with a colleague, recently, who has had cause to enter into a correspondence with the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (the "Journal" or "JAACAP").

It seems that the journal had published an analysis, which was called into question. So serious was the nature of the concerns that the authors destroyed the data, on which the analysis was based, apparently. The Journal viewed this as a question for the academic institution, which had hosted/sponsored the alleged research, and seems to have rejected appeals to condemn the action of those involved, I understand. Anyway, there's quite a full analysis of the matter here. However, it was not the Gillberg business that I was interested in, particularly. It was JAACAP itself, because this was the journal that published Dr Keller's analysis of Trial 329 (see Rants, passim).

I thought that I might do a little piece on this publication, but I see that my thunder has been about as stolen as it possibly could be. Any number of blogs have covered the Paxil/Seroxat business competently; Clinical Psychology, Seroxat Secrets and your host, Bob Fiddaman, has also made sure that it wasn't overlooked here. Indeed, the mainstream media has also picked up on this particular facet of the story, too. The Panorama programme "Secrets of the Drugs Trials," which aired back in February, 2007, included a brief exchange with Dr Mina Dulcan, JAACAP's Editor.

While quite a lot of the reviews that were received (JAACAP's a peer-reviewed journal, remember) were quite scathing about the quality of the analysis, Dr Dulcan appeared to interpret this as indicative of a healthy system. Perhaps it is; everything's relative, after all. Anyway, I suggest you take a look at the blogs (and the Panorama transcript), above, for some of the reviewers quotes. There are some beauties, in there. Not because they're particularly cutting, but because of the fundamental nature of the perceived failings of the research being highlighted.

Anyway, one can see why Seroxat patients feel somewhat uneasy about the drug, in the circumstances. Acknowledged internally by the manufacturer as a dangerous, inefficacious drug, bigged up by a PR company, endorsed by a "key opinion shaper", positively analysed in the world's leading child mental health journal, and trashed by reviewers, before being "banned" by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. Quality science, all round.

Matthew Holford Copyright 2007

Related Links:

BBC News
Brown University
Glaxo SmithKline
Scientific Therapeutics Information, Inc.

For Brown students studying at the university or residents of Rhode Island you can watch BBC Panorama's 'Secrets of the Drug Trials' HERE (You will need Real Player)