NIH to Forbid Scientists From Accepting Payment From Drug Companies, page 1

The National Institute of Health has announced that all scientists affiliated with them will be banned from accepting payment of any kind from drug companies. The practice has already led to some ethics probe. Any currently owned stock holdings in the industry will be divested.

www.latimes.com
WASHINGTON — Under a far-reaching reform to be announced today, all staff scientists at the National Institutes of Health will be banned from accepting any consulting fees or other income from drug companies, and the employees must also divest industry stock holdings, officials said.

The new regulations — drawn up by administrators from the NIH, the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Health and Human Services — are aimed at halting lucrative deals that have led to conflict-of-interest inquiries at the government's premier agency for medical research.

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I think it is a good idea and probably very log over do. The possibility for abuse is evident considering the amount of money tied up in the industry. It's not often I see steps taken to minimize the manipulation of professionals for percieved credibility............Let's see what that fifth doctor has to say now........

[edit on 29-3-2005 by Spectre]