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From Disclosure to Transparency to Action

From Disclosure to Transparency to Action I read with interest—rather shock—the study by Chimonas and coworkers1 about the lack of disclosure by researchers. I have one simple question: How can a profession as dignified as medicine allow this kind of behavior? This and related behavior is beyond unethical, is embarrassing to the medical profession, and should simply not be tolerated. As telling as the findings of this study are, there is an even more insidious issue at play here. Conflict is almost certainly more pervasive than believed; even if someone discloses a financial relationship, that certainly does not mean that a conflict does not exist or guarantee that the data published are not biased. These studies are still hitting the presses, and potentially biased information is still published. It seems that authors themselves will not police this. Thus, journals must develop a systematic methodology for controlling conflicts. The authors raise the possibility that “disclosure” information could somehow be used. Yes, journals should ask for full disclosure of all monetary and grant payments. But, far more is needed from editors, journals, and the academic community. For example, conflicts might seriously be taken into account in the decision to publish. Furthermore, if an author is found to have failed to disclose a financial relationship, their ability to publish (anywhere) should be severely restricted. It seems unlikely that the sort of unsavory behavior identified by Chimonas and coworkers1 will change until the current system is transformed. Correspondence: Dr Rockey, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-8887 (don.rockey@utsouthwestern.edu). Financial Disclosure: Dr Rockey has received a research grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and is participating in research studies with Hyperion Therapeutics, Olympus America Inc, and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. References 1. Chimonas SFrosch ZRothman DJ From disclosure to transparency: the use of company payment data [published online ahead of print September 13, 2010]. Arch Intern Med 2011;171 (1) 81- 86PubMed10.1001/archinternmed.2010.341Google Scholar http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

From Disclosure to Transparency to Action

Archives of Internal Medicine , Volume 171 (1) – Jan 10, 2011

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References (2)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9926
eISSN
1538-3679
DOI
10.1001/archinternmed.2010.485
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

I read with interest—rather shock—the study by Chimonas and coworkers1 about the lack of disclosure by researchers. I have one simple question: How can a profession as dignified as medicine allow this kind of behavior? This and related behavior is beyond unethical, is embarrassing to the medical profession, and should simply not be tolerated. As telling as the findings of this study are, there is an even more insidious issue at play here. Conflict is almost certainly more pervasive than believed; even if someone discloses a financial relationship, that certainly does not mean that a conflict does not exist or guarantee that the data published are not biased. These studies are still hitting the presses, and potentially biased information is still published. It seems that authors themselves will not police this. Thus, journals must develop a systematic methodology for controlling conflicts. The authors raise the possibility that “disclosure” information could somehow be used. Yes, journals should ask for full disclosure of all monetary and grant payments. But, far more is needed from editors, journals, and the academic community. For example, conflicts might seriously be taken into account in the decision to publish. Furthermore, if an author is found to have failed to disclose a financial relationship, their ability to publish (anywhere) should be severely restricted. It seems unlikely that the sort of unsavory behavior identified by Chimonas and coworkers1 will change until the current system is transformed. Correspondence: Dr Rockey, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-8887 (don.rockey@utsouthwestern.edu). Financial Disclosure: Dr Rockey has received a research grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and is participating in research studies with Hyperion Therapeutics, Olympus America Inc, and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. References 1. Chimonas SFrosch ZRothman DJ From disclosure to transparency: the use of company payment data [published online ahead of print September 13, 2010]. Arch Intern Med 2011;171 (1) 81- 86PubMed10.1001/archinternmed.2010.341Google Scholar

Journal

Archives of Internal MedicineAmerican Medical Association

Published: Jan 10, 2011

Keywords: disclosure

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