Elsevier is investigating allegations over ghost-written articles paid for by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, in favour of its’ hormone replacement medications, which the publisher published in one of his medical journals.
 
Originally made public by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Grassley in his letter to Wyeth wrote that the Senate Finance Committee had documents from recent lawsuits involving Wyeth’s hormone drugs, relating to articles published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Primary Care Update for OB/GYNs.  According to the Senator, Wyeth could have paid DesignWrite Inc. from Princeton , New Jersey to author the articles.  As well, Grassley shot off a similar letter to DesignWrite asking for information in its involvement in the allegedly-ghostwritten articles.
 
Elsevier, who publishes the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology says Grassley’s charges “are a significant concern”, adding “as with any charge of misconduct or inappropriate publishing acts, The Journal has launched its own investigation into the claims of ghostwriting and undisclosed financial support.” 
 
With industry critics claiming it to be a common practice, other drug makers in the past have also been the subject of ghostwriting accusations.  For example, court documents relating to the Vioxx injury lawsuits revealed Merck & Co. employees, either working alone or with publishing companies, wrote Vioxx study manuscripts, later recruiting academic medical experts to claim study authorship.