We thank the authors for their response to our editorial. Our key
concern remains mainly with regard to non-publication of medical trials,
the imprecise assessment of effect size in clinical treats of relatively
small sample size, and the concern related to sometimes the blurred line
between investigations and business interests. There is potential for
bias to influence even expert groups, when such groups are promoted and
created by industry. We mean no disrespect to the investigators in
question, but the issues we raised are those that have in the recent
past, received attention in the best scientific journals.
Our condition remains that benefit of this drug for
treatment of acute diarrhea has not been documented to an extent and in
a manner that is required minimally to recommend its use.
M.K. Bhan,
Shinjini Bhatnagar,
Center for Diarrheal Diseases,
Research and Nutrition,
Division of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition,
Department of Pediatrics,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029.
E-mail:
[email protected]