NIH studies remedies for conflicts of interest: 'it is clear ... that some NIH scientists are either very close to the line or have crossed the line.'.(Practice Trends)

Publication: Skin & Allergy News

Publication Date: 01-JUL-04

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COPYRIGHT 2004 International Medical News Group

WASHINGTON -- The National Institutes of Health plans to tighten restrictions on outside consulting by its scientists, closely following the recommendations of an agency-convened blue-ribbon panel.

NIH has been under fire recently after media reports highlighted potential conflicts of interest among a number of its senior scientists who had received consulting fees and stock options from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

NIH plans to prohibit its senior management as well as employees responsible for funds or grants from consulting with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or engaging in paid consulting with academia, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of NIH, said at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations.

Dr. Zerhouni also announced that all NIH employees would be banned from receiving stock from outside companies. "This is a major departure from prior policies," Dr. Zerhouni told the subcommittee.

The...

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