The Italian Medicines Agency appoints Robert Nisticò, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist, as the new president
The State-Regions conference has approved the appointment of Robert Nisticò as the new president of the Italian Medicines Agency. Nisticò, a fifty-year-old neuroscientist and pharmacologist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, has an impressive resume with 181 publications to his credit. He has previously worked in the UK and was a part of the commission on orphan drugs of the European Medicines Agency.
The appointment of Nisticò comes after the controversial resignation of virologist Giorgio Palù. The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, had promised a “European” profile for the position, and Nisticò seems to fit the bill. However, Nisticò’s appointment has raised some concerns due to recent discoveries of duplicated images in his scientific publications.
Several studies signed by Nisticò have been found to contain duplicated images, raising questions about the validity of his research. The use of recycled images in scientific publications is a well-known scam among specialists, and can be difficult to detect with the naked eye. However, with the use of software based on artificial intelligence, anomalies can be identified within seconds.
The revelation of duplicated images in Nisticò’s research is particularly concerning given his new role as the president of the Italian Medicines Agency. As the head of the agency responsible for drug control in Italy, Nisticò will now be tasked with ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the drugs used by the public. The discovery of fraudulent research in his past work raises questions about his ability to fulfill this critical role.
While Nisticò may not have been directly involved in the manipulation of data in his studies, the implications of this discovery are troubling. It highlights the pervasive issue of incorrect or fraudulent research in the scientific community, casting doubt on the validity of the research that informs crucial decisions about public health.
As Nisticò steps into his new role, he will face the challenge of restoring trust in the agency and addressing concerns about the integrity of scientific research. The appointment of Nisticò as the new president of the Italian Medicines Agency comes at a critical time, and the revelations about his past work have raised important questions about the reliability of the research that informs medical practice.