Be open about competing interests

Editor - I read with interest last month's article about working with the drug industry. ¹ As a medical student intercalating a PhD in the biotechnology sector, I have had first hand experience of many of the potential conflicts of interest that the authors discuss. I found the arguments put forward to be both balanced and accurate. But the article did not sufficiently stress the need to be completely open in your disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.

All top tier journals that publish clinical research require a full disclosure of employment, stock held, research funding, lecture and consulting fees, and patents held before they agree to review a manuscript. Provided that doctors and researchers are honest in their disclosures to both patients and colleagues, and faithfully report their research findings, there is little or no risk to their reputation. Indeed, objectivity is required for all research, irrespective of whether it is purely academic or is done in collaboration with industry.

1. Aitken P, Katona C. Working with the drug industry: is your reputation at risk? studentBMJ 2005;13:158-9. (April.)