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The Pharmaceutical Drug Racket asthe ase 26 studies with flying colours may neverthe- (Dr William Bean, 1957, of the Iowa State Continued from page less be peed a in man.” University in his testimony to the Kefauver bers i le simply so oo those mak- (Professor R.W. Smithells, 1980, Prof. of Committee.) ing those drugs or pieces of equipment Paediatrics and Child Health at the i i can make massive crafts as quickly as University of Leeds and a former member of Comieinen Buy tating possible.* the Committee on Safety of Medicines.) The inescapable conclusion is that drug Vv Col 1991, author of companies choose animal tests over scientif- ee a ri) apt pr ie The virtue of animal model systems to —_ ic methods because of the utter unreliability UK.) those in hot pursuit of the federal dollars of animal tests. Because each animal loft i i is that they can be used to prove any- _— species is unique in its physiological, bio- Re ed mF og k= 4 thing—no matter how foolish, or false, chemical, histological, morphological and convey medico-legal protection to the or dangerous this might be. There is other characteristics, and consequently pharmaceutical houses and political pro- such a wide variation in the results of reacts differently to substances, drug compa- « tection to the official regulatory Bovina, animal model systems that there is nies can luce results favourable to their rather than produce information that always some system which will 'prove' a _ interests by simply choosing the appropriate might be of value in» human point. Fraudulent methods of argument species. therapeutics.* never die and rarely fade away. They If their product is harmless, fine, money (Professor D. Hawkins, 1983, Prof.of 2! t00 useful to promoters... otets, W evinces, wa poche, team, Obstetric Therapeutics at the Institute of (Dr Irwin Bross, 1982, former Director of tions are disposed of on the grounds that it Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Consultant the largest cancer research institute in the was tested and found to be ‘safe’ on animals. Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at world, the Sloan-Kettering Institute, then If drugs were tested properly using true Hammersmith Hospital, UK.) Director of Biostatics, Roswell Memorial eben iaitinda. the Veal mia , . " jority of them Institute, Buffalo, NY.) would not be allowed onto the market The extensive animal reproduction 7 A P The richest earnings occur when a new because their harmfulness and ineffective- studies to which all new drugs are now subjected are more in the nature of a variety of a drug is marketed before ness would be all too apparent. The con- puidlic relations exercise than a serious competing drugs can be discovered. _ stant stream of new drugs would slow to a contribution to drug safety... The illogi- Under this system it is impracticable to _ trickle and within a few years most drug cality of the situation is demonstrated by do tests extending over a long period to © companies would go bankrupt. the continued use of well-established establish the range of usefulness and — rugs Are Poisons drugs which are known to be teratogenic potential dangers from toxicity... Thus = 3 ‘i in some mammalian species (e.g. after extensive laboratory tests on toxici- The problem is that virtually all drugs are a ee coe corti- ty and pharmacological properties, but ‘ic to some degree, and as Eli Lilly once sone). onversely a new drug which sometimes with a minimum of clinical Said, "a drug without side-effects is no drug comes through its animal reproductive trial, a drug may be marketed.” Continued on page 64 The extensive animal reproduction studies to which all new drugs are now subjected are more in the nature of a public relations exercise than a serious contribution to drug safety... The illogi- cality of the situation is demonstrated by the continued use of well-established drugs which are known to be teratogenic in some mammalian species (e.g. a corti- sone). Conversely a new drug which comes through its animal reproductive The richest earnings occur when a new variety of a drug is marketed before competing drugs can be discovered. Under this system it is impracticable to do tests extending over a long period to establish the —— of usefulness and potential dangers from toxicity... Thus after extensive laboratory tests on toxici- ty and pharmacologica! properties, but sometimes with a minimum of clinical trial, a drug may be marketed.” NEXUS¢63 JUNE - JULY 1993