Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18458

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

Campbell EG, Zinner DE
Disclosing Industry Relationships - Toward an Improved Federal Research Policy
NEJM 2010 July 14;
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp1006973

Abstract:

Some types of academic–industry relationships are an essential component of the research enterprise in the life sciences. Empirical data show that more than half of academic scientists have such relationships, which most often involve consulting, receiving research funding, and providing scientific advice.1 These and other forms of industry relationships are significantly more common among the most productive academic scientists than among their less productive colleagues. Moreover, every academic institution that is involved in research most likely has some form of institutional relationship with industry.2

Academic–industry relationships have both benefits and risks. Whether through direct sponsorship of research or through advising, such relationships facilitate the discovery of new drugs, devices, and other medical innovations that often result in the improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human disease. At the same time, published studies whose conduct involved financial relationships between academia and industry have been shown to disproportionately support the use, safety, and desirability of the companies’ products and services, leading to the perception that industry sponsorship results in a systematic bias in favor of industry.2 …