More than 80% of US patients’ groups take industry funds, study finds

A study of 104 of the largest patient advocacy groups that are based in the US found that 83% received financial support from drug, device, and biotechnology companies. The study also found that 39% of the advocacy groups had a current or former executive of such a company on their governing board, with at least 12% having a former industry executive in a board leadership position.

In many cases, industry support for the groups was substantial, with at least 39% of the groups receiving donations totaling at least $1m a year, the researchers found. Only one of the 104 …