Lagging edge

Lagging edgeThe New England Journal of Medicine published a correction of an earlier article that had indicated Vioxx was safe if taken for less than 18 months. Maybe NEJM read the simple proposal presented here last month suggesting that the Journal give more scrutiny and opportunity for debate on prominent articles. From the Wall St. Journal:

...Gregory Curfman, executive editor of the journal, said that based on an analysis done by biostatistician Stephen W. Lagakos at the behest of the publication, "the risk could have begun at any point, including time points earlier than 18 months."

"Behest" is an interesting word. Did the Journal actually pay for the analysis?