When Can You Trust Real-World Evidence? Experts Point Out Pitfalls

Speedy publication and data validation methods were red flags in studies retracted by Lancet and NEJM, IQIVA’s Nancy Dreyer says. Duke-Margolis and Sanofi researchers note growth in use of real-world evidence in drug applications at DIA’s annual meeting.

red flag
Experts note red flags in studies using real-world evidence. • Source: Alamy

For Nancy Dreyer, red flags were visible in the two COVID-19 observational studies retracted by prominent journals. She pointed out the suspicious details to show others where problems could emerge when evaluating studies using real-world evidence.

“When I talk to people they say, 'Well, if reviewers from the New England Journal and the Lancet couldn’t spot...

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