Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17461

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Publication type: Electronic Source

Silverman E
NIH Suspends Big Grant To Emory University
Pharmalot 2008 Oct 14
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/10/nih-suspends-big-grant-to-emory-university/

Full text:

The NIH has frozen a $9.3 million, five-year grant to Emory University in response to an investigation by the US Senate Finance Committee into alleged conflicts of interest among academic researchers who receive government grants and also do work for drugmakers (this is the grant).
The move, which was first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, comes after Charles Nemeroff (pictured left) stepped down as chair of the Emory psychiatry department. Nemeroff is being investigated for earning more than $2.8 million in consulting arrangements with various drugmakers between 2000 and 2007, but failed to report at least $1.2 million of this income to the university.
At issue is whether universities are adequately policing disclosures in an effort to maintain scientific integrity and objectivity. Under Nemeroff’s leadership, the paper reports that Emory’s psychiatry department pulled in more than $22 million in NIH grants just last year. But he has also drawn criticism for speaking and consulting fees paid by drugmakers whose products he has reviewed or promoted. The NIH has granted Emory more than $251 million in funding this year, 61 percent of its total research funds from outside sponsors, according to the paper.
The NIH grant that was frozen was awarded to Emory’s Centers for Intervention Development and Applied Research, and was exploring which factors make common treatments for depression succeed, the AJC writes. Researchers have received funding for two years of the grant, which started in July 2006, Emory tells the paper. Nemeroff’s colleague, Dr. Helen S. Mayberg, is now listed as principal investigator on the NIH grant that has been stalled.
Over the last several days, Emory has been informing faculty of new requirements for filling out disclosure forms, after the NIH required all Emory faculty to disclose any potential conflict of interest (back story). And today, Emory created a new university-wide central office to oversee administration and enforcement of conflict-of-interest policies.