Dr. Jason Fung: Financial Conflicts of Interests and the End of Evidence-Based Medicine

“Evidence-based medicine is actually so corrupt as to be useless or harmful,” Marcia Angell wrote in 2009. The statement was less a revelation than something many already knew, but it made waves because of its source. Angell, a medical insider, had spent two decades as the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Jason Fung is also a medical insider who has become wary of scientific research that purports to be “evidence based.” A well-known nephrologist and author, Fung often speaks about Type-2 diabetes reversal and the metabolic effects of intermittent fasting, but in this presentation from Dec. 15, 2018, he turns his focus toward the many ways the foundations of evidence-based medicine have become corrupted by financial conflicts of interest.

The first conflicts of interest he highlights pertain to the corruption of doctors. Practicing physicians who accept gifts from Big Pharma are 225-335% more likely to prescribe drugs from the gift-giving company than those who do not, Fung explains.

The corruption of doctors in prestigious universities is even worse, he claims. “There's a clear correlation: The more prestigious a doctor, the more money they're getting from the pharmaceutical.” Anecdotally, he says, this means you may be better off seeking medical advice from a family physician than from a Harvard professor; the former probably just accepted a $10 pen from Big Pharma while the latter is on the take for $500,000. “It just is a terrible system,” he says. “Yet, these people are the people that are in the newspaper. They're the ones that are teaching medical students, are the ones who are teaching the — the dietitians, the pharmacist — everybody.”

The most insidious corruption affects the published research on particular drugs. Fung highlights the influence industry can have when it finds a medical journal editor willing to take its money. Another problem arises in the form of industry-funded medical research. This conflict of interest leads to the selective publication of positive trials, which can skew the science on particular drugs and lead to unnecessary or even dangerous overprescription. Fung notes how statin prescriptions illustrate the scope of this particular problem.

“We accept this of drug companies … but the problem is that people die,” Fung says. He later adds: “You can make arguments that sugar is a health food, that opioids are good for you … but it harms patients, and we always have to remember that at the end of the day, this is not why we became doctors. The reason we became doctors was to help people, but we're not until we kind of set those same rules as everybody else.”

To read a full transcription of the presentation, click here.

[SwazersC]

Jason fung has balls of steel. Respect.

[addictedstamper]

One of the most amazing doctors on the planet....an honest man of integrity!

[ironjohnlad]

Brilliant and factual. I am so glad that I refused my diabetic medications for T2 diabetes and did low carb and fasting instead.

[gigics]

God protect Dr.Jason Fung from those who will try to silence him. Bless and protect him, his family, his personal and business interests... and raise up more like him who can not be bought.

[AlexanderCheney]

This man has never actually met me. But he has saved my life with his advice.

[tinawalker]

Thank you Dr. Fung for your bravery for speaking out against this corruption!!!

[Ndnative]

Love gutsy truthful Jason Fung. God bless and protect him.

[blahblah]

Amazing video. As I watched, I wondered how does doctor Fung find the courage to speak out like this.

[kerrychild]

Dr. Fung only delivers the facts, and he’s saving lives

[kathleenpirozzi]

I finally lost weight bc of your books and pod casts. I have hope now and I’m reversing my pre diabetes. I look and feel better . My blood sugars are better ! Thank you !

[jmsjms]

Dr. Fung, you are amazing! This exactly is the reason why in 1980, one year into my doctorate thesis at UOT, I gave up on "science" and switched to oil and gas industry. I admire your courage. In times of universal deceit, telling truth is a revolutionary act. Pure respect.

[deborahrogers]

From someone who respects Dr Fung and Crossfit's core values, I'm so happy to see these two come together! Dr Fung has been so instrumental in helping me overcome obesity.

[toddmichael]

What an excellent presentation. Working in the medical industry myself; practically everything Dr. Fung claimed here is, sadly, true! As common lay people & patients'; it is imperative to do your own research first and then draw your own conclusions. Bottom line: it's your life, it's your health.

[roberte.herrera]

Dr. Fung,
WOW- Thank you for staying TRUE and for the courage to do this.
Thank you for all you do. You are a HERO.

[texassugarandvice]

Thank you, Dr. Fung. This is so true. My doc tried to get me on SEVEN different drugs, six of which I do not need and refuse to take, and I've never been healthier. My doc is a very nice lady but she has been brainwashed like so many other docs. She gave up on me and now just tells me that I'm doing great and to keep on doing what I'm doing. Sounds like a plan.

[carolb]

Finally a Canadian that is stepping up! Thank you Dr. Fung. I love your books and share them frequently.

[thammyvo]

This world needs more ppl like you Dr Fung. Thank you for taking so much personal risks for the greater good! Thanks to your family as well!

[bead]

Thank you Dr.Fung for being a real doctor, there aren't many left around.

[moselase]

Jason is a hero and one of my biggest role models 👏👏👏

[MissDeb-jqnz]

This is how Dr. Fung gets away with this presentation... he CONNECTS THE DOTS and POINTS OUT THE OBVIOUS COLLUSION between SUGAR INDUSTRIES, BIG PHARMA and their well-paid minions and reps... and even to the go-betweens... WITHOUT CALLING IT OUT! GOOD JOB.