Does Funding Influence Study Outcomes?

Political reporters know they need to follow the money to get the story. It turns out that doctors and medical reporters should, too. Investigators analyzed the outcomes of more than 500 drug trials. Studies funded by the federal government showed benefit about half the time. Those sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry demonstrated a positive response to the drug 85 percent of the time. Studies supported by drug company money were published less often than government funded trials. The investigators speculate that bias can be introduced in subtle ways including the design of the study, the selection of subjects, and the analysis of data.
[Annals of Internal Medicine, August 3, 2010]