Discussion of Evaluation of cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant properties of sugar cane policosanols in hamsters and humansAppears in Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 33: 540–541.

Scientific Papers and Patents on Substances with Unproven Effects. Part 2

“…Related topics reported previously and not included in this and preceding [1] reviews are doubtful effects of calf hemodialysate and policosanol, invasive procedures and organ biopsies with questionable indications etc. [197,204,205,208,209]. Some of the questions are not entirely clear, so that further research and reviews of the literature are needed.…”

“…Editors should publish comments and letters containing sound criticism seeing that the criticized authors don't disregard published comments e.g. [61,197,204,205,208] but comprehensively and objectively discuss all relevant publications. The peer review and publication process should become more transparent, among others, to identify biased reviewers.…”

Testing of serum atherogenicity in cell cultures: questionable data published

“…For hypercholesterolemia, the reported effects of garlic are small and may be of no clinical relevance [27]. Previously we discussed other trials on hypercholesterolemia, results of which have not been convincingly confirmed by other researchers [28]. The matter could be clarified by means of a large-scale independent trial.…”

Barriers to the importation of medical products to Russia: in search of solutions

“…However, when protectionism is coupled with corruption, it is hardly acceptable from the viewpoint of medical ethics: difficulties and excessive expenditures in the process of import result in price elevation for medical products in the domestic market, thus making them less available for the patients. The policy promoting domestic medical products can include indirect pressure on researchers, resulting in a biased characterization of such products in scientific publications, [3][4][5] which, in turn, are used for official registration of suboptimal products. Misleading advertising of medical products and services is widespread and regarded as a norm.…”

“…Certainly, imported products need to be evaluated before admittance to the domestic market; however, in conditions of corruption and insufficient competence of supervising authorities, placebos and doubtful medications, both domestic and imported ones, are permitted for the clinical use. 4,5 There is also the reverse of the medal. Fraud is widespread all over the world, and skills are developing not only in the field of fraud itself but also for its adaptation to laws and regulation, so that fraudulent intentions are difficult to prove.…”