Dr. Peter C. Gøtzsche is a distinguished Danish medical researcher and founding director of the Institute for Scientific Freedom, established in 2019 to preserve scientific integrity in healthcare research. A former professor of clinical research methodology and director of the Nordic Cochrane Centre, he earned his medical degree and additional qualifications in biology, chemistry and medical science from the University of Copenhagen. As one of the original founding members of the Cochrane Collaboration in 1993, he played a pivotal role in developing evidence-based medicine approaches for over two decades. His career took a dramatic turn in 2018 when he was controversially expelled from Cochrane after challenging what he perceived as increasing industry influence and governance issues within the organization.
Dr. Gøtzsche's groundbreaking research has fundamentally challenged pharmaceutical industry practices and evidence interpretation in medicine most notably through his award-winning book Deadly Medicines and Organised Crime How big pharma has corrupted health care which received the British Medical Association's Annual Book Award in 2014. His systematic reviews questioning the efficacy and safety of common medications particularly in psychiatry have sparked international debates about scientific independence and transparency in medical research. He has been a vocal advocate for making all scientific data freely accessible and eliminating financial conflicts of interest in healthcare research principles that form the foundation of his Institute for Scientific Freedom. His work has influenced policy discussions worldwide regarding pharmaceutical regulation and the integrity of clinical trial reporting.
Beyond his research contributions Dr Gøtzsche has been instrumental in shaping global conversations about scientific integrity through his leadership of the Institute for Scientific Freedom and numerous high-profile critiques of established medical institutions. Despite facing significant professional challenges including the loss of his position at Rigshospitalet and his university professorship following his expulsion from Cochrane he has maintained his commitment to exposing what he identifies as scientific dishonesty in medicine. His three guiding visions for scientific practice include freedom from financial conflicts immediate publication of research and universal data accessibility principles that continue to inspire reformers across the scientific community. Dr Gøtzsche remains actively engaged in research writing and advocacy with his work increasingly focusing on pandemic response transparency and challenging institutional narratives around global health crises.
