1
EDITORIAL It’s time to call it a day A line from one of my favourite songs ‘The Party’s Over’ and it has been a kind of party, editing IJCP since 1991. In 1990, I was taken out to lunch and asked if I would take on editing IJCP, which was moribund. If I did not agree, it would close down I was its last chance and I was only being asked because of my editing ‘Cardiology in Practice’, which had been a successful venture. Lunch proceeded slowly at the highly acclaimed restaurant, and every question asked about the journal (then, the British Journal of Clinical Practice) revealed the desperate state of the publication. Finally, I agreed and was given 2 years to ‘turn it around’, with no computers then and a painfully limited budget. The next day I regretted the shell fish and hoped it was not a sign of the degree of struggle ahead. Along the journey to the present day, we changed to the International Journal, redesigned the layout and cover and developed the editorial board. The ever important Impact Factor improved without resorting to deliberate self citation. The journal became both profitable (degree unbeknown to me) and academically recognised, and my variable per- sonal editorials received regular positive feedback encouraging me to continue. The takeover by Black- well/Wiley took place without my knowledge and the men in suits whom I had met for lunch, the now previous owners, walked away with millions of pounds for minimal investment and no contributions over the years. I still reflect on their lack of courtesy in not informing me I know it is business, but good manners come free. The takeover included me (rather like pass the parcel) and Wiley have been exemplary. Since the takeover, the journal has grown in qual- ity of submissions and Impact Factor (in a very tough league). The computerisation transformed the workload and section editors eased the strain of being single handed in organising reviewers and deciding on acceptance or not. Twenty-two years is a long time editing a journal (medical or not) and writing an editorial for each issue (some much better than others). There are a lot of people whose help I am grateful for my secretary Helen who has been with me for over 25 years, my research secretary Charmian who types my editorials and papers, all the people at Wiley (especially Chris Graf), the con- tributors for their ever increasing quality of submis- sions, and the many readers who have been complimentary about my editorials (well, most of the time) and the journal content. The future holds new challenges and after a period of thinking things through I am sure, the writing will begin again. For now, it is time to welcome Les Citrome as the new Editor-in-Chief after a very suc- cessful period as Associate Editor and to wish him well. How to finish my last editorial? Well, as my train pulled into London Bridge Station, the conduc- tor announced ‘our final destination, all change, all change’. Yes all change. Disclosure None. G. Jackson Editor Email: [email protected] doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12209 EDITORIAL All at sea: new lipid-lowering drug trials continue to disappoint It is the end of the year and the traditional time to look back at developments and to try and assess their significance. From my house, I currently gaze out over a sea of water because of the flooding around All Change ª 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Int J Clin Pract, July 2013, 67, 7, 595–602 595

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Page 1: It's time to call it a day …

EDITORIAL

It’s time to call it a day …

A line from one of my favourite songs ‘The Party’s

Over’ and it has been a kind of party, editing IJCP

since 1991. In 1990, I was taken out to lunch and

asked if I would take on editing IJCP, which was

moribund. If I did not agree, it would close down –I was its last chance and I was only being asked

because of my editing ‘Cardiology in Practice’, which

had been a successful venture. Lunch proceeded

slowly at the highly acclaimed restaurant, and every

question asked about the journal (then, the British

Journal of Clinical Practice) revealed the desperate

state of the publication. Finally, I agreed and was

given 2 years to ‘turn it around’, with no computers

then and a painfully limited budget. The next day I

regretted the shell fish and hoped it was not a sign

of the degree of struggle ahead.

Along the journey to the present day, we changed

to the International Journal, redesigned the layout

and cover and developed the editorial board. The

ever important Impact Factor improved without

resorting to deliberate self citation. The journal

became both profitable (degree unbeknown to me)

and academically recognised, and my variable per-

sonal editorials received regular positive feedback

encouraging me to continue. The takeover by Black-

well/Wiley took place without my knowledge and the

men in suits whom I had met for lunch, the now

previous owners, walked away with millions of

pounds for minimal investment and no contributions

over the years. I still reflect on their lack of courtesy

in not informing me – I know it is business, but good

manners come free. The takeover included me (rather

like pass the parcel) and Wiley have been exemplary.

Since the takeover, the journal has grown in qual-

ity of submissions and Impact Factor (in a very

tough league). The computerisation transformed the

workload and section editors eased the strain of

being single handed in organising reviewers and

deciding on acceptance or not. Twenty-two years is a

long time editing a journal (medical or not) and

writing an editorial for each issue (some much better

than others). There are a lot of people whose help I

am grateful for – my secretary Helen who has been

with me for over 25 years, my research secretary

Charmian who types my editorials and papers, all

the people at Wiley (especially Chris Graf), the con-

tributors for their ever increasing quality of submis-

sions, and the many readers who have been

complimentary about my editorials (well, most of

the time) and the journal content.

The future holds new challenges and after a period

of thinking things through I am sure, the writing will

begin again. For now, it is time to welcome Les

Citrome as the new Editor-in-Chief after a very suc-

cessful period as Associate Editor and to wish him

well. How to finish my last editorial? Well, as my

train pulled into London Bridge Station, the conduc-

tor announced ‘our final destination, all change, all

change’.

Yes – all change.

Disclosure

None.

G. JacksonEditor

Email: [email protected]

doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12209

ED ITORIAL

All at sea: new lipid-lowering drug trials continue todisappoint

It is the end of the year and the traditional time to

look back at developments and to try and assess their

significance. From my house, I currently gaze out

over a sea of water because of the flooding around

All Change

ª 2013 John Wiley & Sons LtdInt J Clin Pract, July 2013, 67, 7, 595–602 595