Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3155

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Phillips I.
Supplements
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1983; 12:199-200

Abstract:

The Editor sets out the facts, and some opinions, on the Journal’s position in relation to sponsored supplements. Most originate from an approach by a pharmaceutical company. Most relate to proceedings of a symposium. The Editor with members of the Editorial Board consider the desirability of a supplement on the topic. Conditions, which include the editor’s appointment of Supplement Editors and the finality of editorial decision, form part of the documents sent to all would-be sponsors. Sponsors produce office facilities and finance attendance of the supplements editors. Refereeing and editing takes place mainly during the meeting. Papers are not automatically accepted although papers of a preliminary nature are more readily included. The average referee exposure is greater than that for the Journal generally. Valid sponsors’ criticisms have been accepted . When the Editor felt the criticism not to be valid the sponsors withdrew, illustrating our attempts to ensure that supplements are independent. Some Society members would like to see no supplements, others would like a limit, yet others welcome most of our supplements. It seems wrong to criticise the use of supplements as advertising material and not papers from regular issues of the Journal, used in a similar way.

Keywords:
*policy statement & guideline/United Kingdom/