BMJ 1994;308:4 (1 January)

Editorials

Conflict of interest and the BMJ

Last year we had to reject a review article submitted to us because of conflict of interest. What seemed to us an ad hoc group reviewed the treatments of a particular condition. The referee was initially impressed by the clarity of the review but was perplexed that one particular treatment was given much greater prominence than it deserved. Eventually he realised - from his own knowledge rather than anything stated in the paper - that the group had been brought together and funded by a particular drug company. The company manufactured the treatment that was given extra attention.

Years ago, when our editorials were unsigned, we came to learn that one researcher who regularly wrote for us had substantial financial interests in pharmaceutical companies which might have benefited or otherwise from what was written in the editorials. Conflict of interest may also arise with letters, and many letters that seem . . . [Full text of this article]


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