Conflict of interest in medical journals: how paid interests influence clinicians and public

[natasa778]

What You Didn’t Know About a Doctor’s Stance on the HPV Vaccine

It appears to be a neutral source in a prestigious medical journal: an article defending the controversial human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical cancer vaccine. It criticizes the Japanese government’s decision to stop promoting the vaccine amid concerns about injuries. And it implies patients are incorrectly blaming the HPV vaccine for unrelated ills.

... But a key disclosure is omitted from the article: Hanley’s financial ties to Merck and GlaxoSmithKline—makers of the multi-billion dollar HPV vaccines promoted in the article.

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Critics say it’s an example of hidden cronyism among physicians and corporations who use medical journals, regarded as pillars in the medical community, to influence physicians and public policy.

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Reached for comment, The Lancet indicated that, upon further review, Hanley’s disclosure did not comply with their conflict of interest disclosure policy.

 

[MeSci]

What You Didn’t Know About a Doctor’s Stance on the HPV Vaccine

Some interesting stuff on HPV vaccine here and here.

I have been seriously alarmed to read recent news items about a range of countries making various vaccinations compulsory, or making parents home-school their children if they are not vaccinated, or witholding welfare support for unvaccinated children. Where would such medical compulsion end...?