In the past, most clinical trials reflecting on the safety or efficacy of pharmaceutical drugs were sponsored by the federal government, but today about 80 percent of these clinical trials are funded and performed by the pharmaceutical industry. The lack of transparency of clinical trial findings, mixed with the profit motive of pharmaceutical companies to publicize only information that promotes sales and profits, has proved a dangerous mix. NLARx is working with state legislators on a variety of approaches to disseminate evidence-based prescription drug information, including public disclosure and Internet posting of clinical trials data, publicly accessible databases and analyses of safety and efficacy studies to assist in developing preferred drug lists and in reaching out to health providers, and independent “academic detailing” programs to counter pharmaceutical industry marketing.

Researching this Issue

Model laws and best practices, testimony supporting these initiatives, and background information and research materials including reports, legal briefs, and news articles on drug safety issues, clinical trials, and evidence-based are posted here. Other relevant materials may be found on the issue pages relating to Preferred Drug Lists (evidence-based PDLs) and Advertising & Marketing (industry marketing tactics leading to off-label prescribing and misrepresentation of clinical information). The Pharma Watch page details the promotional and lobbying activities of the pharmaceutical industry, and the Medicare & Medicaid page includes information on state and federal False Claims Act lawsuits addressing improper prescribing. See also the Related Links below to connect to other organizations and materials relevant to this issue.