Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13733

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Publication type: Journal Article

Stafford N.
MEPs shun cancer advocacy group because of industry funding
BMJ 2008 May 3; 336:(7651):980
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7651/980-a?etoc

Abstract:

A group of members of the European parliament with a special interest in breast cancer has cut its ties with a breast cancer advocacy group, Europa Donna, because of the group’s acceptance of financial support from drug companies.

Karin Jöns, chairman of the European parliamentary group on breast cancer (EPGBC), issued a press release last week announcing the decision, saying that 86% of Europa Donna’s income of about 424 000 (£330 000; $660 000) in 2007 came from the industry.

“We at EPGBC reject further cooperation with Europa Donna because the board of the European umbrella group became more and more a lobby instrument for the market interests of the big pharmaceutical companies,” said Mrs Jöns, an MEP representing the Bremen region in Germany.

Europa Donna’s executive director, Susan Knox, rejected the press statement from Mrs Jöns, saying that it had “always denied a financial dependency from the pharmaceutical industry.”

. . .