Drug to treat obesity: editorial writer responds
CMAJ 1997;156:978
We are concerned that the letter by Sana R. Sukkari (CMAJ 1997;156:768-9 [full text]) misrepresents the relationship that Dr. Manson and I had with the pharmaceutical industry. Upon invitation, we wrote an editorial about pharmacotherapy for obesity.[1] In the process, a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings occurred between the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and us.
As stated in our subsequent letter to NEJM,[2] we had briefly served as scientific consultants to Servier, the manufacturer of dexfenfluramine (Redux) and had submitted a proposed disclosure statement to NEJM. NEJM's written disclosure policy statement had ambiguities, and our direct discussions with their editorial staff were misinterpreted. This led to a series of misunderstandings.[2]
Most important, we had and have no financial interest in any manufacturer of anti-obesity drugs, nor do we stand to gain from the commercial success of any of their products. The opinions that we expressed were entirely our own and independent of industry. The editorial was carefully written and was in no way intended as an endorsement of appetite suppressants. We urged long-term studies and cautious prescribing to patients with medically significant obesity who had failed an exercise and diet program.
Gerald A. Faich, MD, MPH
President
Outcomes Research Corporation
Narbeth, Pa.
References
- Manson JE, Faich GA. Pharmacotherapy for obesity -- Do the benefits outweigh the risks? [editorial]. N Engl J Med 1996;335:659-60.
- Manson JE, Faich GA. Conflicts of interest -- editorialists respond. N Engl J Med 1996;335:1064-5.
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