[B]eginning with this issue of the Journal, we have modified the statement in Information for Authors to read as follows:

Because the essence of reviews and editorials is selection and interpretation of the literature, the Journal expects that authors of such articles will not have any significant financial interest in a company (or its competitor) that makes a product discussed in the article.

The addition of the word “significant” acknowledges that not all financial associations are the same. Some, such as the receipt of honorariums for occasional educational lectures sponsored by biomedical companies, may be appropriately viewed as minor and unlikely to influence an author’s judgment. Others, such as ownership of substantial equity in a company, are of greater concern. It is our intent to focus on the financial relationships that, in our judgment, could produce bias, or the perception of bias, in an article. (Link)