Elsevier publishes fake scientific journal for Merck?
The Scientist is reporting that pharmaceutical giant Merck created a professional-sounding journal in which to plant “research” articles supportive of the company’s products. The revelation came in the form of court testimony during a class action lawsuit against the company by former patients who claimed that “Vioxx caused their heart attack or stroke.” (See this BNET Pharma post for even more of what was going on behind-the-scenes at Merck.)
The publishing partner for this marketing scheme was an Elsevier company, Excerpta Medica Communications. The Scientist article includes links to the first two issues of the the faux journal, The Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine (ISSN 1447-5529).
Chemistry Blog has done a content analysis of the two issues and has tabulated the number of times Merck products are mentioned and whether the products are given a positive or neutral light. No surprise, ChemistryBlog’s results show that Merck products did not receive any negative coverage in these fake journal articles.
Based on the following statement that appeared on publisher’s Excerpta Medica site, I would say the company is living up to expectations:
Goal 1: Create new ways to think – accomplished
Goal 2: Create customized programs – accomplished
Goal 3: Surprise and amaze us with your ability to transform ideas into effective programs – accomplished
