- Prescribing Advice for GPs - https://www.prescriber.org.uk -

Research data fabricated

The British Medical Journal has published a news item after a prominent researcher admitted fabricating data. Much of this research focussed on cyclooxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Cox-II NSAIDs).

Data were fabricated in 21 of his 72 articles indexed by PubMed by Scott S Reuben. An evaluation of the remaining 51 articles was inconclusive in identifying potential fraud.

A full list of the 21 studies has been issued to announce retraction and ensure these studies are not referenced in future articles. A quote in the article also calls for a further retraction of the remaining 51 articles.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of this fraud. The results of any these articles should not be used to guide clinical decision.