A world-renowned Dutch expert in identifying scientific misconduct and error, Dr Elisabeth Bik, has been threatened with legal action for questioning the integrity of a study promoting the drug hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19. His paper claimed the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine was effective in treating Covid infections, especially when given in combination with an antibiotic. She said the treatment and placebo groups in Raoult’s study differed in important ways that could have affected the results. This lawsuit against Dr. Bik and the administrator of PubPeer is intended to silence public peer review. “We also want citizens and scientists who might try to sue whistleblowers to understand that it’s not a legal concern but a scientific one,” he said.

Source: The Guardian May 22, 2021 04:52 UTC