Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6712

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

Angell M, Kassirer JP.
Editorials and conflicts of interest
New England Journal of Medicine 1997; 336:729

Abstract:

It is very difficult to devise a conflict of interest policy that will be fair and reasonable in every case and therefore the Journal has not extended its policy to cover things like speakers’ fees. Stone is wrong about Manson’s consultancy not being relevant, but there was some misunderstanding about the nature of her consultancy. It is unrealistic to expect that editors would remember past disclosures of conflicts of interest. Fortunately many distinguished experts do not have financial arrangements with the manufacturers of products that they are studying. Although Manson’s consultancy had ended when the editorial was written, Faich’s was still ongoing and he violated the Journal’s conflict of interest rules.

Keywords:
*letter to the editor/United States/New England Journal of Medicine/disclosure/conflict of interest/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PUBLICATION

Notes:

Reply to: Robert Salzman, New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:728; Lance R. Stone, New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:728; Eric F. Douglas, New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:728; Nathan K. Blank, New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:728-729; Michael D. Erisman, New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:729.