<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Bibliography (page 5 of 13) Drazen, J. M. and G. D. Curfman (2002). "Financial Associations of Authors." N Engl J Med 346(24): 1901-1902.       Having come upon scathing criticism for publishing review articles written by persons with substantial conflicts of interest without identifying those interests, the authors (editors of NEJM) reiterate past policies and frame a new policy. They ended up, eventually, requiring disclosure of all conflicts of interes, but not in this article. Drazen, J. M. and G. Koski (2000). "To Protect Those Who Serve." N Engl J Med 343(22): 1643-1645.       Patients submitting themselves to a clinical trial are inherently vulnerable; they understand the risk associated with their reward. When these clinical trials are industry-sponsored and may contain ambiguous COIs, they are in direct conflict with the patients' interests and therefore violate the physician-patient bond. This article calls for physicians to consider this when enrolling patients in clinical trials. Duyk, G. (2003). "Attrition and Translation." Science 302(5645): 603-605.       The recently published NIH Roadmap proposes that public-sector science should place increased emphasis on the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics based on the fruits of fundamental research. Such "translational research" activities, traditionally the province of the private sector, have long been compromised by high rates of attrition (failure during the course of preclinical or clinical development of therapeutics). Attrition has led to growing financial costs, as well as opportunity costs. The new focus offers a way to reverse these trends, especially if the scientific community can improve on its ability to reconcile molecular genetic research with integrative organ- and organism-based research. Eichenwald, K. and G. Kolata (1999). When physicians double as entrepreneurs. Hidden interests: a special report. NY Times (Print). New York City: A1, C16-17. November 30, 1999.       A very important report worth noting and reading. It chronicles not only COI's in medicine, but also the culture around them, questioning whether physician-inventors can ethically promote their products. Although there is much to be gained from new technology and increased competition, much is lost when physicians ignore patient interests and focus on profits. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health &res=9D07E6D6103FF933A05752C1A96F958260 Elliott, C. (2001). "Pharma Buys a Conscience. Bioethicists increasingly find their work underwritten by pharmaceutical companies. Who passes on the ethics of ethicists?" The American Prospect 12(17): 16-20.       Do as I say, not as I do. Does that apply to bioethicists? Unfortunately developing a center on bioethics requires lots of money and the usual deep pockets, drug and other companies seen to be the most willing sources of funding. This article bears some of the funding sources of prominent bioethics programs and questions bioethicists' behavior in the face of drug company dependence. He also indicates support of IRB members, of the FDA and of bioethics consultants tends to build favorable reviews. Field, K. (2004). Medical School Reaches Agreement with Cancer Survivors in Suit over Canceled Study. The Chronicle of Higher Education.       If a study promises a therapeutic regimen and the company decides that the agent is not worth pursuing from the preliminary data, it can cancel the study. The participants argued that they were promised a full course of treatment by the university and sued. Friedberg, M., B. Saffran, et al. (1999). "Evaluation of Conflict of Interest in Economic Analyses of New Drugs Used in Oncology." JAMA 282(15): 1453-1457.       Recent studies have found that when investigators have financial relationships with pharmaceutical or product manufacturers, they are less likely to criticize the safety or efficacy of these agents. In this study of a number of oncology drugs of different kinds, when comparing company vs non-profit supported studies, it was found that overstatement of positive results were less of a problem than a reduced likelihood of reporting unfavorable qualitative conclusions. << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 4 Quick Links Conflicts of Interest (COI) Definitions Consequences of a COI Government Intervention Industry Sponsorship Professional Societies Clinical Practice Guidelines Other Initiatives COI in Financial Consulting Cases Bibliography Chapter 4 Download (PDF)