Part 2: Journal ignores evidence of misconduct in ticagrelor studies
After publishing two key studies, the journal Circulation has deflected responsibility amid evidence of scientific misconduct—missing data, outcome switching, and authorship irregularities.
Circulation—one of cardiology’s leading journals and the flagship publication of the American Heart Association—has refused to act on serious concerns raised about two key studies used to promote AstraZeneca’s anti-clotting drug, ticagrelor.
The studies were instrumental in portraying ticagrelor as ‘faster and more potent’ than its cheaper rival, clopidogrel—a message that fuelled its widespread use and cemented its place in clinical guidelines worldwide.
But as detailed in Part 1, both studies contain major irregularities.
An investigation by The BMJ’s Dr Peter Doshi alleged scientific misconduct, citing undisclosed changes to primary endpoints, missing platelet data submitted to the FDA, and serious questions surrounding authorship of the research.
