Guidelines: Guides to Profit? [Money talks]
By John Fauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/Medpage Today and Ellen Gabler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The stated intent of treatment guidelines is to “guide” clinicians’ treatment of patients with a series of recommendations based on evidence.
But that intent may not be universally reflected in published guidelines and the disconnect is all about money.
Money Talks
Doctors with financial ties to drug companies have heavily influenced treatment guidelines, an analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and MedPage Today has found.
Critics say those financial relationships have corrupted the guideline process so that the end products, make dangerous or ineffective recommendations.
Industry and some doctors counter that those with conflicts are often top experts in their field.
The Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today examined 20 clinical practice guidelines for conditions treated by the 25 top-selling drugs in the U.S.
Who can we trust to develop effective guidelines when the all mighty dollar is altering the thinking of knowledgeable people. With the increase of Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment will be non existent.
Much like it is now.
What an extreme waste of time and money for nothing.
People need help now, not years from now.