Disease-mongering through clinical trials. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: González-Moreno, María; Saborido, Cristian; Teira, David
• Is Part Of: Studies in history and philosophy of science. Volume 51(2015)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Disease-mongering -- Clinical trials -- Reference class problem -- Statistical significance -- Valium -- Statins; Biology -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Biology -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Medicine -- History -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Bioethics -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; Sciences de la santé -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Sciences de la santé -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; 570.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.02.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8486

Abstract

Abstract: Our goal in this paper is to articulate a precise concept of at least a certain kind of disease-mongering, showing how pharmaceutical marketing can commercially exploit certain diseases when their best definition is given through the success of a treatment in a clinical trial. We distinguish two types of disease-mongering according to the way they exploit the definition of the trial population for marketing purposes. We argue that behind these two forms of disease-mongering there are two well-known problems in the statistical methodology of clinical trials (the reference class problem and the distinction between statistical and clinical significance). Overcoming them is far from simple. Highlights: We articulate a precise concept of certain types of disease-mongering. Behind disease-mongering we find the reference class problem and the distinction between substantive and statistical significance. Two cases studies illustrate our claims: the marketing of benzodiazepines and statins.