Navigating the Pharma Government Complex.

The TTE Manifesto

Our reader Myra asked: What are members of the public supposed to do? Follow advice? From whom? Based on what? It appears we are best doing intensive study of all the studies available before making any decisions.

As no member of the public should be required to conduct a systematic review before making a healthcare decision, we offer some suggestions to avoid harm, excluding emergencies.

Take as few medications as possible – bear in mind that many drugs are similar, although they are marketed with different names.

Do not follow MSM stories, especially if they announce breakthroughs, game changers, simple solutions to complex problems, triumphs of science, or miracles.

Beware of words like “protect” and “real world evidence”.

Beware of experts unless you have been following their work and have a good, long track record of getting it mostly right.

Always consider whether whoever is pushing the intervention (drug, biologic, test, programme) benefits financially, either directly (cash) or indi…