Posted by Nadezda on October 5, 2008, at 12:09:20
In reply to What SHOULD (IMO) be closely monitored, posted by seldomseen on October 5, 2008, at 10:18:14
I think it's appropriate to monitor both, because either can cause conflict of interest problems.. Maybe there's nothing that can be done about unconscious bias-- because at least researchers may be more aware of how this bias may be affecting their work.
What's most troubling in these stories is the direct lying to institutions that are supposed to monitor and the violation of rules that represent some (probably not very intrusive) oversight. True, it may be an annoying bit of paperwork and some jumping through hoops-- but there is the overall problem that researchers do impose their biases in interpreting data.
And how do you distinguish Nemeroff from Biederman, who was actively involved in promoting the practice of giving antipsychotics to children--especially for pediatric bipolar disease-- and who earned over $1.6 (a figure which itself may be an understatement) from drug companies--while reporting very little? for example, in one year, he earned over $58,000 from Johnson & Johnson, and reported no earnings; when asked to recheck this, he reported $3,000. is he a "visionary" or a shill for the company? How can you tell?
I understand Seldom's point about the need for the connections between academics and drug research, but there also needs to be some regulation of how these connections affect the shape and outcomes in research.
It may be worse when physicians have a stake in a company-- but still there can be conflicts of interest when you're being paid to attend marketing conferences, and are given large amounts of money--which presumably would be much less if you raised questions about the efficacy of the company's drugs.
How can you not question the judgment and integrity of respected and influential psychiatrists when they knowingly lie about payments they've received?
Nadezda
poster:Nadezda
thread:855794
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080926/msgs/855859.html