Study Refutes Claims on AIDS Drug Trials

Many were concerned that between the years 1985 and 1996, foster children in the NYC area were unwillingly subjected to clinical trials for H.I.V.

An investigation into the participation of New York City foster children in clinical drug trials for H.I.V. and AIDS over a nearly 20-year period has found no evidence that any children died as a result of the trials or that the foster children were selected because of their race.

Further coverage for this can be found:

Study Refutes Claims on AIDS Drug Trials New York Times
No Foster Children Died From Participation in New York HIV Drug ... Kaiser network.org
Study: NY Foster Kids Not Exploited for AIDS Research EDGE Boston

Updated Calendar of FDA Decisions and Clinical Trials

If you're in the world of Clinical Trials, you know how frustrating it can be to wait on the FDA approval or rejection of the pharmaceuticals you've worked on. Check out this post at Seeking Alpha that shows a handy way to see what decisions are slated to be made on certain drugs and clinical trials. What big decisions are you waiting on? We'd like to hear your thoughts.

FDA Limits Interest in Clinical Trials

According to an editorial in yesterday's New York Times, the F.D.A has a seemingly limited interest in clinical trials--and this may be to the detriment of quality food and drugs that are created through these trials. For instance, its a federal requirement that the makers of drugs or medical devices receive financial information from the scientists conducting clinical trials before the trials start and to inform the F.D.A of any conflicts, yet fewer than 1% of of makers report any discrepancies. Someone is lining their pockets and the F.D.A is turning their heads.

From The New York Times:
The agency’s lax performance underscores the need for Congress to pass legislation requiring all drug and device makers to report their financial arrangements with doctors in a public databank. That would make it harder for clinical investigators or sponsoring companies to hide potential conflicts, including those that might bias clinical trials for the F.D.A. Do you agree with this editorial? What legislation should occur?