Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19273

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

Rothman DJ, Chimonas S
Academic Medical Centers' Conflict of Interest Policies
JAMA 2011 Feb 23; 305:(8):743-844
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/304/20/2294.extract

Abstract:

During the past 4 years, a number of academic medical centers (AMCs) have taken the lead in implementing new policies that more strictly manage the relationships between physicians and industry. 1 Transforming once-entrenched practices, the new measures prohibit accepting gifts, food, and drug samples and restrict faculty consulting and speaking arrangements. Although many faculty members believe these changes are long overdue, others complain that the policies sully their reputations and reduce their income. Because the measures break new ground, uncertainties about their short- and long-term consequences are widespread. In this Commentary, we discuss accomplishments at the leading institutions and evaluate prospects for future change.

Implementing conflict of interest policies demands substantial time and resources, as well as a deep commitment to effective oversight. Issuing a policy is merely the first step; next come the appointment and staffing of a faculty/administration committee that, together with an expanded compliance office, answers faculty …

Keywords:
academic medical centers, biomedical research, conflict of interest, disclosure, drug industry, education, medical, continuing.