Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3975

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Publication type: Journal Article

Relman AS.
Economic incentives in clinical investigation.
N Engl J Med 1989 Apr 6; 320:(14):933-4

Abstract:

Medical research is becoming commercialized and clinical investigators now find themselves in situations involving conflicts of interest. In particular, researchers are acquiring financial interests in the new drugs or clinical devices they are studying. Economic incentives can introduce subtle biases into the conduct, analysis or reporting of research results that may escape even careful peer review. The author reviews the two commonest justifications for economic incentivese for clinical investigators. All institutions sponsoring clinical research or employing clinical investigators should develop policies to deal with possible conflicts of interest.

Keywords:
*editorial/conflict of interest/drug company sponsored research/academic freedom/relationship between researchers, academic institutions and industry/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS/SPONSORSHIP: RESEARCH Clinical Trials/economics* Commerce Motivation