Concerns over ending drug trials early

Research published in the cancer journal 'Annals of Oncology' has shown a marked increase in the amount of studies that end prematurely. Concern has been voiced that in the rush to the licensing authority, results are incomplete and could be misleading.

Editor in chief of the journal, along with other experts have said, 'trials should not often be stopped early - the ethical duty to give all patients in the trial the drug that is working best should not override the duty to the public at large to obtain better long-term data on how well and how safely the drug works.

The Italian researchers recommend that the decision to stop a trial should be made by an independent board of scientists.

Article in the Annals of Oncology

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/apr/09/health.pharmaceuticals