This was the second of a two part investigation looking at concerns about a pivotal trial for the anti-clotting drug, rivaroxaban. In this investigation, Deborah found that companies were aware of concerns about a faulty device in a regulatory trial
Patients given hip implants made the wrong size – The Telegraph
One of the world’s largest hip replacement firms, DePuy, has admitted “an error in the measuring techniques” when making controversial metal-on-metal implants. Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/patients-given-hip-implants-made-the-wrong-size/
Why have UK doctors been deterred from prescribing Avastin? – The BMJ
This award winning investigation investigated why doctors in England’s NHS have been left seemingly unable to prescribe a cheap, safe, and effective drug despite its flourishing use elsewhere. It unearthed conflicts of interest in the NHS and medical charities; a lack of transparency by regulations; and a distortion of European law.
Dabigatran: how the drug company withheld important analyses – The BMJ
In the first of a two part investigation, Deborah used internal documents and US and EU regulatory documents obtained under freedom of information to find out what was known about the use of this oral anticoagulant. She found that the company had conducted analyses about how to make its use safer – but hadn’t shared these with global drug regulators. The story got international media coverage and led to regulatory action.
Paying twice: questions over high cost of cystic fibrosis drug developed with charitable funding
Deborah Cohen and James Raftery ask why one of the first drugs to be developed by a partnership between a charity and a drug company also ended up being one of the world’s most expensive drugs: https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1445
How a fake hip showed up failings in European device regulation – The BMJ and The Telegraph
The truth about sports drinks – BBC Panorama and The BMJ
Sports drinks are increasingly regarded as an essential adjunct for anyone doing exercise, but the evidence for this view is lacking.In a joint investigation, Deborah combined data with investigative journalism to explore the claims made by companies and the impact on hydration guidelines. Do people need to drink ahead of their thirst? And do sports drinks hydrate faster than water?
How safe are metal-on-metal hip implants? BBC Newsnight and The BMJ
With concern over metal on metal hip implants mounting, Deborah examined the evidence of risk from metal-on-metal hip implants finding longstanding concerns over their use. Deborah used a combination of the US regulator’s devices database, internal documents and a review of the scientific literature in her approach. The story received international media coverage and led to changes in clinical guidance.
https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1410
Drug study secrecy puts lives at risk – Index on Censorship
Studies to test the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices are too often never made public, putting lives at risk. When she was Investigation Editor at The BMJ, Deborah explored these complex issues for Index on Censorship
https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2011/11/science-medicine-secrecy-drug-studies-lives-risk/