The research of Dr. Fieve and his colleagues have proven Lithium to be one of the most effective treatments for Bipolar Disorders, but because it is not patentable and drug companies cannot profit from it, doctors do not receive kick-backs for precribing it and therefore tend to prescribe medications that they receive payments and other incentives to promote.
Dr. Fieve's research into the use of Lithium was never funded by any drug company. He began his research into this amazing medication because of the tiny bit of information that was coming out about it from Europe in the 1960's. If you'd like to read more about how Dr. Fieve learned of Lithium and began researching it, see his book Moodswing.
This page is devoted to new press and research articles concerning Lithium and the influence drug companies use to promote the drugs that profit them. If you have seen an article that you think should be posted here, please email info@fieve.com.
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Psychiatric Group Faces Scrutiny Over Drug Industry Ties
published in NY Times, July 12, 2008
QUOTE:
"Studies have shown that researchers who are paid by a company are more likely to report positive findings when evaluating that company’s drugs. The private deals can directly affect patient care, said Dr. William Niederhut, a psychiatrist in private practice in Denver who receives no industry money.
Dr. Niederhut said company-sponsored doctors had spread the word that new and expensive drugs were better in treating bipolar disorder than lithium, the cheaper old standby treatment.
“It’s a sales pitch, and now it’s looking like a whole lot of people would have done better if they’d started on lithium in the first place,” Dr. Niederhut said in a telephone interview. “The profession absolutely has to come clean on these industry deals, and soon.” "