American medical group criticized for vetoing talks on drug-firm ties

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American medical group criticized for vetoing talks on drug-firm ties

Panel was to explore financial ties with drug companies

By Rowland The Boston Globe

Published: December 27, 2006

BOSTON: The title of the proposed panel discussion cut straight to the

point: " Conflicts of Interest. " But attendees at the American Society

of Hypertension's spring meeting in Chicago will not get to hear what

panelists have to say about financial ties between the drug industry

and medical societies and physicians. The society has rejected the

session, saying it was " one sided " and did not meet " standards for

fair balance and scientific rigor. "

Now, the cancellation itself is causing a conflict, prompting three

prominent drug industry critics who had been invited to participate to

accuse the society of stifling debate.

" The society is hiding under a rock, " said one critic, Dr. Jerome

Kassirer, a former editor of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Full story:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/27/business/drug.php