Drug Testing 'by-passed’ (Press, 2 August 1989)
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Summary: Drug Testing 'by-passed’ (Press, 2 August 1989)
On 2 August 1989, Professor Peter McDonald from Adelaide’s Flinders Medical Centre expressed concerns about the impact of community pressure on the evaluation of drugs designed to combat A.I.D.S. He highlighted zidovudine (AZT), a widely used medication for A.I.D.S. patients, as a case where normal scientific scrutiny was largely bypassed. Professor McDonald noted that only one legitimate placebo-controlled trial had been conducted in the United States for AZT; however, this trial was halted after 24 weeks due to societal demands for the drug's availability. In a placebo test, participants unknowingly receive either the drug or a neutral substance, allowing researchers to evaluate its effectiveness. Professor McDonald pointed out that while AZT demonstrated efficacy during the initial six months of treatment, further investigations revealed a significant risk of toxic side effects that could potentially lead to patient fatalities. Moreover, its use contributed to the A.I.D.S. virus developing increased resistance to the medication. The pressure from the community for immediate access to AZT affected the willingness of A.I.D.S. patients to participate in further placebo tests, as individuals naturally prefer not to risk receiving a placebo instead of an established treatment. Although AZT remains a good drug, Professor McDonald underscored the importance of conducting thorough evaluations to ensure its safety and long-term effectiveness. He voiced his concerns during a national microbiology conference in Adelaide, where he addressed the influences of social and governmental factors on research practices.
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