Leading academics say they are shocked by the sudden removal of the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), public health expert Professor Stephen Leeder.

He was sacked this week after he raised concerns about plans to outsource production of the MJA to global publishing company Elsevier.

The company has been involved in several scandals including publishing a "fake" journal paid for by a drug company.

Diabetes expert Professor Paul Zimmet from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said Professor Leeder is one of Australia's most eminent public health experts.

"I am shocked by his removal in this way," he said.

"You couldn't imagine anyone with his understanding of public health and medical issues would be sacked like this."

Professor Leeder said he was removed because he raised concerns about the plan to outsource production of the journal.

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"This company has had a history of unethical behaviour in medical publishing," he said.

In 2009, it was revealed Elsevier was paid by a pharmaceutical company to produce a fake medical journal called the Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine.

Most of the articles were favourable to the drug company.

Elsevier decision 'raises ethical concerns'

Professor Zimmet said the deal to hand over production of the MJA to Elsevier raised many ethical concerns.

"This decision should be examined very closely," he said.

"My concern is that the next step could be to follow up with appointing editorial staff that follow Elsevier's agenda."

The company which publishes the MJA, AMPCo, said the board would appoint an acting editor in chief while the search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

AMPCo chairman Richard Allely said the board could not reach agreement with Professor Leeder on the necessary steps to ensure the journal's future success.

An AMPCo spokesperson said after considerable due diligence, the board resolved to outsource sub-editing, production and some administration functions of the MJA to Elsevier to ensure the continued success of the journal.

"Any queries that were put to the board about Elsevier were completely and comprehensively addressed to the full satisfaction of the board," she said.

Elsevier publishes the journal, the Lancet, which has been embroiled in another scandal over its decision to publish an open letter accusing Israel of a "massacre" in Gaza.

The journal received many complaints, including a letter from 500 scientists and doctors including five Nobel Prize winners.

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Lancet editor Richard Horton defended publishing the letter saying it was not designed to cause offence.

Elsevier has been contacted for comment.

It is understood an independent review of the staffing of the MJA will be conducted and report back to the board as soon as possible.

Two leading Australian academics, Professor Gary Wittert and Professor Michael Horowitz, described Professor Leeder as a man of outstanding intellect and integrity.

"We consider that the MJA was extremely fortunate to have the services of an editor of this calibre and regard his stewardship of the MJA to have been exceptional," they said.

Both are members of the Medical Journal of Australia editorial advisory board.

"The majority, if not all board members, including ourselves have indicated they will resign and believe that the Australian medical community, who we understand have not been consulted, will be appropriately outraged," Professors Wittert and Horowitz said.