HealthNewsReview.org | Independent Expert Reviews of News Stories | Holding Health and Medical Journalism Accountable |
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Do they have a conflict of interest?
One of our ten criteria for what consumers need in stories about treatments, tests, products and procedures.
Why this matters to patients
Patient Dave deBronkart sees it as his responsibility to look for conflicts of interest involved with anyone making health care claims.
Scientist's perspective on why stories must follow conflicts of interest
Karen Sepucha, PhD, HealthNewsReview.org expert editor
Why does this Matter?
- The examples given above about potential conflicts of interest in people making claims about new treatments, tests, products or procedures are just a few examples.
- A trial paid for by the drug manufacturer.
- Researchers employed by or getting fees from a drug company.
- A spokesman for a device manufacturer.
- Doctors who are early adapters and true believers in a new device.
- An inventor.
- All of these people want their product or their idea to look as good as it can.
- Just because a study was funded by industry, it doesn't mean the findings lack integrity.
- But in recent years there have been so many highly-publicized examples of troublesome conflicts of interest in medical research and in health care that we think it is always fair and smart to ask questions about potential conflicts.
- A few states now publicly report industry's payments to doctors. Drug companies have begun to report their payments to doctors. A wide-ranging U.S. Senate investigation is looking at various aspects of potential conflict of interest in health care and research.
- Think about this: when your doctor offers you a sample of a new drug, is that ever a lower-cost generic drug sample? No. He/she was given brand name samples to give away by a drug rep. Is there a conflict of interest at play? Maybe not. But it's one small example of industry's influence on health care.
- When an orthopedic surgeon does a procedure, he/she could be using devices from one company or another that could cost more than $50,000. A representative of a device company may be in the operating room as the procedure is done. Is there a conflict of interest at play? Maybe not. But it's another example of industry's influence on health care.
- Is your doctor's office cluttered with drug company promotions and with visiting drug reps? Does that bother you?
- It may be awkward but it is entirely reasonable for you to ask your doctor if he/she has any financial relationship with the makers of the drugs or devices or tests being recommended for you.
- The website NoFreeLunch.org posts "a database of health care professionals who have pledged to accept no gifts from industry and to rely on non-promotional sources of information.".
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Studies: New type of osteoporosis drug cuts fracture risk in women, men in cancer treatment 
Several independent sources were interviewed for this story. The writer also points out that both trials were paid for by Amgen, the manufacturer of denosumab, and nearly all the researchers were employed by the company or received consulting or advisory fees from them. 
Oxygen therapy breathes new life into autism treatment 
While the sourcing favors supporters, the reporter discloses or implies the conflicts of interest the clinic operators have. The two skeptical medical sources are highly credible.
A new knee built for women only 
Three different sources fill out this compact story - a spokesperson for the medical society representing the nation's orthopedists, a spokesperson for knee implant manufacturer Zimmer, and chief of the knee service at one of the busiest joint replacement centers in the world (who has consulted for one of Zimmer's chief competitor, the story notes) - a balanced group whose potential conflicts readers can judge for themselves. |
Patch boosts libido for some older women 
The only sources contacted for this story are representatives of two companies involved with development of female sexual satisfaction products, including the one studied in the journal report. The viewpoints of independent clinicians and researchers would have been valuable.
GPS-like system helps surgeons align joints 
A key shortcoming: The reporter did not explore potential conflicts of interest of the sources. Doctors who are early adopters of expensive new technologies often have relationships with the device makers. So do the medical facilities where the doctors practice. Such relationships should have been disclosed, or the lack of relationship should have been plainly stated.
The Kanzius Machine: A Cancer Cure? 
The segment draws exclusively on the inventor and three credible but potentially self-interested supporters, one of whom is dead. |
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