University of Minnesota suspends enrollment in psychiatric drug trials in the wake of scathing report on Markingson case

The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor has released its investigation into the suicide of Dan Markingson, finding evidence of coercion, numerous conflicts of interest, shoddy research oversight, and a pattern of defensive misrepresentations by university leaders aimed at misleading the public about previous reviews.  Press coverage can be found at the following links:

http://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2015/03/u-m-suspends-enrollment-psychiatric-drug-trials-wake-scathing-report-markings

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/19/auditor-ethics-issues

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/2015/03/20/auditor-questions-ethics-of-u-of-m-clinical-drug-study/25068329/

http://kstp.com/news/stories/s3740112.shtml?cat=1

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_27743587/u-may-hold-up-some-research-after-audit-criticizes-handling-of-drug-trial-suicide

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/28565177/legislative-auditor-criticizes-u-of-ms-handling-of-dan-markingson-suicide

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/296914121.html

The report comes on the heels of a damning external review that found serious deficiencies in the current research protection program, as well as a “climate of fear and intimidation” in the Department of Psychiatry.

http://news.sciencemag.org/education/2015/03/human-subjects-protections-under-fire-university-minnesota

Legislators are calling for public hearings on the case, and Public Citizen is demanding a federal investigation.