Publisher says Australian unit didn't disclose medical journal sponsor

Elsevier, the publisher of some of the top medical journals in the world, said an Australian unit contracted with drug makers to publish what appeared to be medical journals that didn't disclose who had paid for them.

Those publications included one titled The Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine, which heavily favoured Merck & Co.'s osteoporosis drug Fosamax and the painkiller Vioxx. The journal was in fact sponsored by drug maker Merck, though the Elsevier unit never properly disclosed the sponsorship.

Elsevier publishes medical and scientific journals, including the Lancet. It also contracts with drug makers to print compilations of medical articles on their drugs, but the sponsor of the compilation is supposed to be clearly spelled out.

Elsevier chief executive Michael Hansen said in a statement Thursday that between 2000 and 2005, the company's Australian office published a series of sponsored articles that were made to look like journals and lacked proper disclosure.

"This was an unacceptable practice and we regret that it took place," he said.

In all, the company has acknowledged six publications between the years in question that were paid for by pharmaceutical companies, making them no more than elaborate marketing tools.

Committed to disclosure

Merck said the Australasian Journal published twice a year from 2002 to 2005. Beginning with the fifth issue, Elsevier started including a disclaimer, spelling out that the content was primarily made of company-sponsored articles. It is Merck's policy to disclose when an article or study is sponsored by the company.

"Merck agrees with Elsevier about the importance of appropriate disclosure of financial support and we remain committed to providing journals with the information that permits such disclosures to be made," Merck said in a statement.

Elsevier would not say which other drug makers paid for similar journals.

Elsevier said it is conducting an internal review but believes the issue was isolated to the Australian unit.

"The individuals involved in the project have long since left the company," Hansen said. "I have affirmed our business practices as they relate to what defines a journal and the proper use of disclosure language with our employees to ensure this does not happen again."