Predatory Medical Journals in Patent Literature: A Hidden Threat

Publication Name: Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin

Publication Date: 2025-11-01

Volume: 15

Issue: 4

Page Range: 693-699

Description:

Purpose: The negative impact of potential predatory journals has been widely discussed, primarily within academic contexts. However, their influence beyond academia remains underexplored. This study aims to address that gap. Methods: The current editorial utilised a sample list of 8 potential predatory medical journals. We compiled a list of potential predatory medical journals using the discontinued titles list in Scopus and the current blocklists. Then their patent-to-paper citations have been examined to understand the dissemination of questionable medical publications outside of academia. Results: This indicates that potential predatory medical journals received 483,848 citations from scholarly works and 4,251 citations from patents. Conclusion: When patents cite papers from predatory journals, flawed information may propagate, or potentially leading to wrongful patent rejections and wasted resources. This serves as a warning for the patent community to take action against potential predatory journals.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.34172/apb.025.46153

Authors - 3