Health Affairs, 26, no. 2 (2007): 483-491 doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.2.483 © 2007 by Project HOPE	New Online Disparities in Health:   Obama aide on legislation   Smedley call to action   Shrink regulations first   A Real Policy Debate   Top 10 HA Articles Of '07

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Confidentiality Laws And Secrecy In Medical Research: Improving Public Access To Data On Drug Safety

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have long considered results collected from drugs’ clinical trials to be confidential information or trade secrets, even after submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We describe FDA policies regarding disclosure of clinical trial data and evaluate how courts have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act in cases seeking access to unreleased information. Recent examples of approved drugs later found to have dangerous side effects show the importance of complete dissemination of safety information. We suggest regulatory and legislative policy changes regarding how the FDA handles confidential information that can improve understanding of the risks of prescription drugs.

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