ABSTRACT
Medical research is based on the public's trust that the interests of the subjects and of the public good will take priority over other interests. This chapter describes how medical conflicts of interest (COIs) develop, the consequences they may have on the results of medical research, and how this can erode public trust in the medical system. It focuses on clinical trials on drugs and how their conduct has led to uncertainty about the safety, value, and effectiveness of drugs and devices that go to market. The chapter focuses on five selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, such as Prozac, with respect to the David Healy scandal. The cases documented in the chapter reveal a system-wide problem related to corporate sponsorship in the whole research and publication process. Drug companies typically test new drugs against placebos because this maximizes the chance that the new drug will appear effective.
