Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18357

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Publication type: Journal Article

Zarocostas J
WHO swine flu review committee promises to probe links with drug industry
BMJ 2010 July 7; 341:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/341/jul07_2/c3648

Abstract:

The chairman of the external expert review committee examining the World Health Organization’s management of the H1N1 pandemic said on 2 July that the panel will probe deeper into allegations that the drug industry may have unduly influenced key outcomes.

Speaking at the end of the second round of hearings at WHO headquarters Harvey Fineberg, the head of the 27 member review committee, told reporters that, “Part of [our] concern is dealing with the accusations of undue influence by pharmaceutical companies on the decisions.”

Asked if that included looking into possible stockholder links among key decision makers and members of WHO advisory bodies Dr Fineberg said, “Well, you would want to know what possible routes there are for that to have actually happened-were there any channels by which this could have occurred, and this is one channel you would like to investigate.”

He said the review panel “does expect to . . .