SECRECY AND MEDICINES

In: Development dialogue, Band 1, S. 73-85

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE SHOWS THAT, IN PRACTICE, MEDICINE HAS ROUTINELY FALLEN SHORT OF THE IDEALS OF OPENNESS AND ACCESSIBILITY ADVOCATED 2,000 YEARS AGO BY HIPPOCRATES. AFTER IDENTIFYING THE CORRUPTING ASPECTS OF SECRECY, THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE OUTLINES SOME RECENT CAMPAIGNS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT HAVE BEGUN TO YIELD GREATER OPENNESS, DESPITE SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS' CONCERNS TO PROTECT THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.