BMJ has been in the forefront when it comes to declarations of
competing interests of authors.In keeping with that,Richard Smith and Tony
Delamothe show an unambiguous example of "competing interests" at the end
of their editorial(1).Ironically,none of the authors of editorials in the
19 June 1999 issue of the BMJ,makes any attempt to disclose such competing
or conflict of interests.
In an era of intense commercialism within our healthcare
system,especially when it comes to issues of recommending or analysing
pharmaceutical products,it is a good practice to declare any competing
interests.In that respect,the authors of the editorial about
antidepressants for the old(2),fail to express such declaration in the
paper or electronic journals.Perhaps,they may have privately done so to
the BMJ,but that is simply not good enough.BMJ must actively pursue a
declaration, whatever it may be,and that should be published with the
editorial,in line with some of the resarch papers.
Further,the editorials which give direct analysis of pharmaceutical
products,should specifically disclose the involvement of its authors in
drug trials,and the identity of the relevant pharmaceutical company.That
would to some extent, minimise one taking a sceptical view of an otherwise
good editorial.
Competeting interests:Encouraging oppenness and honesty among the
medical & legal professionals.
Rapid Response:
Views on drugs and competing interests
BMJ has been in the forefront when it comes to declarations of
competing interests of authors.In keeping with that,Richard Smith and Tony
Delamothe show an unambiguous example of "competing interests" at the end
of their editorial(1).Ironically,none of the authors of editorials in the
19 June 1999 issue of the BMJ,makes any attempt to disclose such competing
or conflict of interests.
In an era of intense commercialism within our healthcare
system,especially when it comes to issues of recommending or analysing
pharmaceutical products,it is a good practice to declare any competing
interests.In that respect,the authors of the editorial about
antidepressants for the old(2),fail to express such declaration in the
paper or electronic journals.Perhaps,they may have privately done so to
the BMJ,but that is simply not good enough.BMJ must actively pursue a
declaration, whatever it may be,and that should be published with the
editorial,in line with some of the resarch papers.
Further,the editorials which give direct analysis of pharmaceutical
products,should specifically disclose the involvement of its authors in
drug trials,and the identity of the relevant pharmaceutical company.That
would to some extent, minimise one taking a sceptical view of an otherwise
good editorial.
Competeting interests:Encouraging oppenness and honesty among the
medical & legal professionals.
REFERENCES
(1)Delamothe T,Smith R.Moving beyond journals:the future
arrives with a crash.BMJ 1999;318:1639-40.
(2)Livingston MG,Livingston HM.New Antidepressants for old
people?.BMJ 1999;318:1640-41.
Competing interests: No competing interests