Editorial

Prof Nick Holford is an editorial member of the following peer reviewed journals:

• CPT: Pharmacometrics & System Pharmacology
  Editorial Board 
• Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics
  Editorial Board
• Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition
  Editorial Board
• Pharmaceutical Research
  Editorial Board
• European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
  Editorial Board

 

Statement on editorial freedom and Clinical Pharmacokinetics

The principle of editorial freedom is widely accepted and is clearly explained by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors:

Owners and editors of medical journals have a common endeavor-the publication of a reliable and readable journal, produced with due respect for the stated aims of the journal and for costs. The functions of owners and editors, however, are different. Owners have the right to appoint and dismiss editors and to make important business decisions in which editors should be involved to the fullest extent possible. Editors must have full authority for determining the editorial content of the journal. This concept of editorial freedom should be resolutely defended by editors even to the extent of their placing their positions at stake.

"Clinical Pharmacokinetics" is published by Adis International, Ltd, a New Zealand based subsidiary of the Wolters Kluwer publishing company. I have been its Consulting Editor and subsequently Editor since 1995 (Holford NHG. Input from the deep south compartment. Clin. Pharmacokin. 1995;29:139-141). I took on this task with the explicit understanding that I had full editorial responsibility for all material published in CPK. In August 2000 I was offered a new contract with Adis which asked me to agree that final authority for acceptance of manuscripts rested with Adis management. After extensive discussion it was agreed that this authority should remain with me as the Editor and I signed a new contract for a 6 month period. In late February 2001 I was asked again again to sign a new contract removing final authority for acceptance of manuscripts from the Editor in favour of Adis management. I understand a similar contract has been offered to the Editors of all Adis publications. I have refused to sign this contract.

In view of the refusal of Adis management to accept this concept for Adis journals I have resigned from being Editor of Clinical Pharmacokinetics (effective February 28 2001). My decision to resign was made to express my "resolute defence" of the concept of editorial freedom.

I am also resigning from the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Editorial Board and will no longer provide peer review of manuscripts for Adis journals. I encourage others to do likewise. Participation in the editorial process as long as Adis rejects the concept of editorial freedom implicitly supports the loss of impartial editorial review and acceptance of scientific manuscripts.

Nick Holford