New requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals have been proposed, including full declaration of potential conflicts of interest (both financial and non-financial), defined criteria for authorship and a description of the contribution made by each author [4]. In addition, editors may request that authors of a study funded by industry confirm

full access to all data used in the study and acceptance of responsibility for the accuracy selleck products and integrity of those data. The obligation to register all clinical trials and to consider seriously publication of negative studies is stressed. Although these recommendations have not yet been universally adopted they provide an important step towards constructive management of conflicts of interest in medical publishing and protecting the credibility of biomedical research. Policies to manage conflicts of interest in academic centres, teaching hospitals, research institutions and professional medical or scientific organizations have also been proposed [5–7]. Some measures have already been widely implemented, for example prohibition of acceptance of gifts from industry, removal of direct industry influence in medical education and in the development of clinical guidelines, and clearly defined institutional policies on conflicts of interest.

Company funding for attendance of INCB018424 healthcare professionals at meetings has been substantially Methane monooxygenase reduced and strict rules are in place for the permitted standards of travel and accommodation. Industry sponsored symposia are now almost exclusively conducted through intermediary continuing medical education (CME) organisations that are charged with ensuring high educational standards and avoidance of commercial bias and promotional content. More draconian proposals include a move towards a SCH727965 cost complete ban on industry funding for professional medical associations and on funding for satellite symposia at regional or national meetings. Stringent controls over research funding from industry have been recommended

and include restricting the participation of individuals with conflicts of interest in research involving human subjects [7]. Managing conflicts of interest in members of committees that develop clinical guidelines and in officers and board members of professional organisations has also received attention [3, 7]. Recent proposals recommend that individuals with any financial tie to industry should be excluded from membership of committees that formulate practice guidelines or outcome measures. The concern that this strategy will limit the expertise available to such groups is acknowledged, with the minor concession that members with conflicts of interest might play a limited role in exceptional circumstances.