Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13766

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Publication type: Journal Article

Moynihan R.
Independent drug watchdog in Canada under funding threat
BMJ 2008 Jun 7; 336:(7656):1270
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7656/1270-a

Abstract:

An internationally respected drug advisory body based at the University of British Columbia is facing closure after a report to the provincial minister for health called for its “replacement.”

The Therapeutics Initiative (www.ti.ubc.ca) produces evidence based reviews of drugs for doctors, policy makers, and the public, and the group has strict conflict of interest policies, which guarantee that its findings are as free of industry influence as possible.

A report from a task force of nine, submitted to the health minister of British Columbia last month, claims that although the Therapeutics Initiative “has served an important role in the past, it is now widely regarded as being in need of either substantial revitalisation or replacement. The task force regards replacement as the better option.”

The health minister, George Abbott, said that he would accept the task force’s recommendations, sparking a strong global reaction in support of the independent . . .