Merck wrote drug studies for doctors

New York Times, April 17, 2008

Drug maker Merck drafted dozens of research studies for a best-selling drug, then lined up prestigious doctors to put their names on the reports before publication, according to a report. The report provides a look in the industry practice of ghostwriting medical research studies that are then published in academic journals. The authors of the study say it raises broad questions about the validity of much of the drug industry's published research, because the ghostwriting practice appears to be widespread.