Pfizer takes on the NEJM

Derek Lowe: “I can’t see how the current review process won’t get broken if Pfizer’s motion is granted. The whole issue is whether the journal’s editors can claim privilege – if so, they don’t have to release, and if not, they most certainly do. This can’t help but set a precedent, one way or another. If there’s no privilege involved in the editorial process, a lot of qualified and competent reviewers will start turning down any manuscript that might someday be involved in legal action.”