AstraZeneca is said to have buried data from clinical studies

AstraZeneca was recently criticized for withholding data from at least 3 unfavorable trials involving the drug Seroquel.  This finding came to public attention after a representative of AstraZeneca was found to be using data from one of these trials that was never made available to the public.  The company is now faced with approximately 9,000 lawsuits based on the information that Seroquel can potentially cause diabetes and other health problems.  To add more fuel to the fire there are additional claims that AstraZeneca was promoting Seroquel for purposes other than its approved uses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Seroquel is currently one of the company’s best sellers taking second place to Nexium only.  It is of great importance to the company to protect the image of the drug but also to protect the reputation and integrity of the company’s image.  One of the managers associated with the company spoke of AstraZeneca’s favorable reputation for engaging in ethical behavior as it relates to reporting study results.  He then spoke of how they must decide whether or not they wish to keep that reputation.  Despite the unfavorable results found in these clandestine studies AstraZeneca plans to defend the Seroquel cases without settling any claims.

References:

1. Feeley J. et al.  Bloomberg Press.          http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aS_.NqzMArG8&refer=home

Travis White, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate