Oral

Can we trust journal articles written by scientists working for corporations whose products are the subjects of the articles? Should scientists who consult for drug manufacturers be allowed to serve on advisory panels that evaluate whether these drugs should be licensed? Financial conflict of interest impacts the workings of many aspects of our public health system. Increasingly, editors of the leading biomedical journals are requiring disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Some journals will no longer publish papers in which the sponsor controlled the right to publish. Federal agencies have had great difficulty grappling with issues of conflict of interest, and have generally attempted to “manage” them through disclosure and balance. In response to public concerns, this appears to be changing: the US Food and Drug Administration and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have recently enacted policies barring many conflicted scientists from serving on advisory panels. In this session, we will examine the consequences of financial conflicts of interest and their effect on research integrity, the composition and conduct of expert panels and advisory committees, and on regulatory decision-making. Panelists will present examples from a variety of public health disciplines including drug safety, women’s health, chemical hazards, and environmental health.

Session Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the conflicts of interest that may compromise an expert’s impartiality. 2. Understand and identify strategies used to influence expert panels and public health policy. 3. Evaluate approaches for promoting impartiality of scientific advice and strengthening the use of science in regulatory agencies.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing