Do you remember Joseph Biederman? (Hint: He's the guy pictured below left not the big man on the right.)
He's the Harvard University psychiatrist who is one of several prominent academics being investigated by the US Senate Finance Committee for allegedly failing to properly disclose payments from the pharmaceutical industry, while also conducting grants for the National Institutes of Health (see background).
In Biederman's case, he allegedly failed to fully report approximately $1.6 million in consulting fees from various drugmakers between 2000 and 2007, according to the committee. And court documents released late last year suggested he also pushed Johnson & Johnson to fund a research center at Massachusetts General Hospital that would advance J&J's commercial goals (take a look).
As a result, Biederman is currently enmeshed in litigation in the Superior Court of New Jersey, where three drugmakers - AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and J&J's Janssen unit -are being sued in connection with risks associated with their antipsychotic medications. Attorneys for the families who filed suit fought to interview Biederman under oath because his work has been crucial to the widespread acceptance of the pediatric usage of antipsychotics.
Now, though, Biederman is hoping Superior Court Judge Jamie Happas will agree to have his deposition sealed, because he doesn't want the extent of his involvement with the companies publicized. However, we understand The New York Times is already gearing up for a story, which prompted Biederman's attorneys to write this letter to Happas.
What's in the deposition? Dozens and dozens of pages of detail relating to Biederman's activities, but we encourage you to peruse both sections of the document. (Please see here and here.)
One exchange in particular caused us to do a double take. On page 47, Biederman is quizzed about his professional ranking at Harvard. He notes that his resume is used for academic promotions.
Lawyer: "What does that mean?"
Biederman: "To move in the ranks from one rank, for example, at Harvard, there is instructor, from instructor you move to assistant professor, from assistant professor you move to associate professor, from associate professsor you move to full professor."
Lawyer: "Full professor?"
Biederman: "Hm...mmm."
Lawyer: "What rank are you?"
Biederman: "Full professor."
Lawyer: "What's after that?"
Biederman: "God"
Lawyer: "Did you say God?"
Biederman: "Yeah."
No mere key opinion leader is he.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Harvard's Biederman: After Me, There Is Only God
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22 comments:
i wonder when the justice department comes calling for dr. biederman....
The God Delusion
It's good to see this type of exposure - finally!
Biederman is one of the big reasons antipsychoics are out of control on children in this country. I believe we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg on stories yet to come.
It's almost hard to believe that one person would have such an inflated viewpoint of himself. Especially after causing so much harm to so many people
I hope law enforcement is paying attention to this! Biederman is a primary player in putting children on antipsychotics.
I read that these antipsychotic drugs actually cause diabetes, involuntary movements and sometimes death. How could Beiderman possibly think his comparison to God is at all relevant.
Joseph Biederman is the "poster boy" for a profession plagued with narcissists. Maybe it was his proximity to God that enabled him to know and announce the results of clinical trials before they were conducted. This guy should not go outside in any thunder storms…..
What balls! Hope he still has some in jail. This punk CREATED childhood bipolar to sell drugs and was paid handsomely. Jail will never make up for the wholesale drugging of children, the diabetes from the drugs and all the rest. What a prima donna.
The diabetes from this hacks falsified drug studies is going to cost not just in people's lives but it's mind blowing what this is going to do to the average taxpayer from the medical costs. The other professors and researchers had to have known, the whole place and any study coming out it should be scrutinized.
Oh my... I just think of that poor 4 year old girl in Boston that died on all those medications. Well if you cannot be God, I guess playing God would suffice? I'm sure all the moms who had children affected by antipsychotics will be enraged. Anyone who wants to drug babies has a serious issue and should be investigated. Just please, do not let him off the hook with an insanity plea if he is to be thrown in jail.
I subscribe to a much less criminal god (I can't qualify this context with a capital letter God) than he.
He has Next-to-God disorder, needs psychiatric drugs to fix that. Lots of drugs.
I am speachless! I am usually very refined when it comes to my vernacular. Only one word comes to mind. ASSHOLE. Please don't pardon the French.
Q. What's the difference between a psychiatrist and God?
A. God doesn't think He's a psychiatrist!
I knew this was the mentality, but it is so "in your face" to see this jerk state it. Well we know what happens to those who think they are God, don't we? I believe this will be resolved in the best interest of the people, because it is time...
Dona Wheeler
CCHR
Well, personally, I think God did a better job!
I guess, hence the expression, "God Help Us All."
CCHR London
Biederman was corrupt in taking drug company money and then using his influence to promote the company's drugs. Then he creates "research" that expands "bipolar disorder" to young children, often toddler age or even younger, so he could promote more drugs. One child, Rebecca Reilly, was killed by these drugs. Many others are killed or permanently damaged by being put on these drugs.
maybe he is dyslectic...and thinks he's a dog.
Clearly the comments have all been posted by people whose lives have not been devastated by watching their child suffer from a very real medical illness, Bipolar Disorder. Had anyone listed here had to watch their child wrestling with the terrible demons and pain caused by this debilitating illness, and had they done any research at all, they would know that Dr. Joseph Biederman is an incredible doctor who has dedicated his life to helping children and families suffering unfathomable terrors. Before denouncing a man who is a hero to so many there should be a two sided conversation as to the realities of the situation. No one has mentioned the extraordinary amount of science that has come out of Dr. Biederman's work, nor the numbers of medications which he has studied that have gone on to be FDA approved after his work was expanded and peer reviewed. Quotes can be taken out of context and abused for sensationalism. Why is it that people are only interested in attacking when in many instances, and certainly this one, there should be nothing except praise and gratitude.
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