Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15279

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

Freedman R, Lewis DA, Michels R, Et AL.
Conflict of interest: an issue for every psychiatrist.
American Journal of Psychiatry 2009 Mar; 166:(3):274-277
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/166/3/274

Abstract:

To many psychiatrists’ dismay, unresolved conflicts of interest between parts of our profession and the pharmaceutical industry continue to be a focus of concern. It is not our purpose to examine individual allegations; as in most investigations, some have been verified but others have not. Rather, this editorial addresses the context in which serious conflict of interest occurs. The impact of investigations of conflicts of interest extends beyond their targets and potentially affects the credibility of all psychiatrists. Psychiatry is reexamining its standards and ethical boundaries for interactions with the pharmaceutical industry. Our standards should address not only the conduct of highprofile opinion leaders, but also our responsibility as individual physicians to deliver to our patients the highest-quality evidence-based medicine…