Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14865

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Publication type: Journal Article

Hopkins Tanne J.
US psychiatrist is fired from radio programme for not disclosing drug company ties
BMJ 2008 Dec 9; 337:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/337/dec09_1/a2934

Abstract:

Frederick Goodwin, an eminent US psychiatrist, has been fired as host of a popular radio programme after Senator Charles Grassley revealed that the doctor had received $1.2m (£0.8m; 0.9m) in speaking fees and $100 000 in expenses from GlaxoSmithKline since 2000 (Congressional Record, 19 Nov, pp S10641-4, “Payments to Radio Host”)

The award winning programme, The Infinite Mind, was carried on two satellite channels of National Public Radio (NPR). It was produced by an independent company, Lichtenstein Creative Media, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr Goodwin began hosting the programme in 1998.

NPR issued a statement saying that all programmes on the satellite channels were “expected to adhere to the same code of ethics and practices that apply to programs produced and distributed by NPR. It appears that The Infinite Mind was in direct violation of that code, and is being removed from the channel.”