Medical official Kennedy accuses esteemed journals of corruption in healthcare industry
In Washington, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has accused major medical journals of collaborating with the pharmaceutical industry, threatening to bar government scientists from publishing in them. In a podcast on May 27, Kennedy criticized prestigious journals such as The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA, claiming they are "corrupt" due to alleged pharmaceutical company control. He suggested that NIH scientists would no longer be allowed to publish in these journals and the government would establish its own publications instead.
Kennedy's criticism extends to the influence of the pharmaceutical industry in the US healthcare system. The health secretary has previously spoken against these medical research journals. Established since the 19th century, these journals play a significant role in medical and biomedical research, with studies undergoing rigorous peer review.
However, Kennedy questioned the reliability of these publications, arguing that they are influenced by big pharmaceutical companies. He asserted that publishing studies in these journals often requires a fee, allowing companies to manipulate outcomes and publish favorable results.
Kennedy pointed out allegations by Dr. Marcia Angell, a former senior figure at The New England Journal of Medicine, who argued in her early 2000s book that much of today's clinical research is unreliable. Kennedy has also criticized several health agencies for their alleged servitude to pharmaceutical companies.
As part of an overhaul of his department, Kennedy aims to combat rampant bureaucracy and restore public trust in healthcare authorities. The White House recently released a 'Make America Healthy Again' report, focusing on the impact of food and chemicals on children's health.
While collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions do exist, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that major medical journals systematically collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry to undermine scientific integrity.
Science and medical-conditions are integral to debates surrounding health-and-wellness, as they are the focus of numerous publications, including The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA. However, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has accused these journals of being influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, questioning their reliability and suggesting a potential manipulation of outcomes for favorable results.
