The BMJ alleges grave irregularities in the billion dollar asset Phase 3 studies

I am not sure why the BMJ chose this path to raise concerns instead of filing complaints with the regulators or file whistle blower lawsuites?

Does the BMJ stand to gain by the benefits of sensationalist reporting in terms of tangible circulation numbers and intangible 'prestige factors'?

After all many of the 'irregularities' may have benign explanations.

The allegations, detailed across multiple reports, scrutinize the very data that transformed the drug into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, replacing a cheaper, effective generic in hospitals worldwide. This is not merely an academic dispute; it is a critical examination of the evidence that underpins a massive commercial success, putting the intersection of science, patient care, and immense financial interest under a powerful microscope.

The PLATO trial was the linchpin for ticagrelor's global approval and commercial strategy. Its publication suggested a clear superiority over the then-standard of care, the generic clopidogrel. Th…