Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1195
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: Journal Article
Kristiansen IS.
Broadening the concept of competing interests
BMJ 2003 Jan 3; 325:(7377):1375
http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/325/7377/1375
Abstract:
The BMJ should be congratulated for its efforts to avoid bias. Asking editors and authors to explicitly state competing interests reduces the likelihood of bias. As Smith states, however, we still have some way to go to full transparency. Much of the discussion of conflict of interest may leave the impression that the problem lies in commercial sponsorship, particularly from the pharmaceutical and tobacco industries. The problem may be more widespread. Could researchers in a public health institute be influenced by political pressures when the institute is financed by the ministry of health? Will pressures become stronger when the institute is placed within the ministry? Can researchers who receive honoraria for advising government and courts on tobacco issues be influenced by the fees they receive? If researchers can be influenced by commercial sponsorship, why should they be immune to influence from other sponsors? Nevertheless, it is not unusual that research financed by non-commercial sources is presented without warning of potential conflicts of interest. My point is not that bias from commercial sponsorship should be belittled, but rather that the problem is greater than the BMJ editorial may indicate. Policies to avoid bias should be guided by scientific principles, not moralism or prejudice.
Keywords:
letter to the editor
United Kingdom
Denmark
relationship between medical profession and industry
conflict-of-interest
declaration of interests
political pressure
ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY
SPONSORSHIP: HEALTH FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONS
Notes:
Reply to Smith (2002) record 24360.
Kristiansen has received salary and honoraria from several public institutions and honoraria from several pharmaceutical firms. He has not received honoraria from the tobacco industry.
