Sir, – Clinical trials are undoubtedly the bedrock of scientific medicine, but the assertion that there are “compelling reasons for a patient to choose to participate in a medical trial” cannot pass unchallenged (Life Science, “Helping others while helping yourself”, May 16th).
Pharmaceutical companies routinely impose gagging clauses which enable them to suppress unfavourable findings – half of all trials are never published.
Doctors need to know about negative as well as positive outcomes: openness is essential.
Patients invited to take part in a trial can help others and improve transparency by asking for written guarantees that the trial is on a public register and that the results will be published within a year of completion. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Operngasse,
Vienna,
Austria.