Stronger Conflict of Interest Policies Urged for EPA, NIH

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Thu, 07 Apr 2005 13:06:46 GMT

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Stronger Conflict of Interest Policies Urged for EPA, NIH

 

 

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April 7, 2005 | Back Issues

 

Stronger Conflict of Interest Policies Urged for EPA, NIH

 

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report states that the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) need to strengthen their conflict of interest policies in

order to address the potential for industry influence on

government-led research and development (R & D) projects.

 

The report examines how American Chemistry Council (ACC) financial

donations to EPA and NIH research projects may pose a conflict of

public and private interests. The GAO investigation focuses on studies

that examine the health effects of chemical exposure, and are

partially funded by the ACC. The GAO report found that funding by the

ACC could potentially influence regulatory rules that are based on the

studies.

 

The ACC is an industry trade group that represents several chemical

manufacturing companies. It has funded 17 NIH proposals and 2

EPA-related projects. [1]

 

The GAO report noted that neither the NIH nor the EPA had " specific

policies requiring officials to evaluate or manage potential conflicts

of interest when they entered into the ACC arrangements. " [2]

 

However, both agencies and the ACC reported to the GAO that despite

the lack of a formal evaluation policy, they believe agency officials

are able to manage the ACC arrangements through normal research processes.

 

The GAO disputed the agencies' faith in these processes, noting that

" because the agencies' research management processes are not designed

to address conflict of interest issues, they are not a substitute for

formal evaluation of such conflicts. " [3]

 

Although ACC contributions to the EPA and NIH are legal, the GAO

report suggests that the current system provides inadequate assurance

that these contributions will not present a conflict of interest. The

report's final recommendation was that the agencies develop formal

policies to manage potential conflicts.

 

In a response to the report, EPA spokeswoman Suzanne Ackerman said EPA

will review it, but did not say whether the agency would actually

follow its recommendations. Ackerman said the agency already has a

" strict, rigorous, and transparent process for ensuring our research

agreements and grants meet the highest ethical standards. " [4]

 

###

 

SOURCES:

[1] GAO Report, Apr. 1, 2005.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] " Agencies need conflict-of-interest policies -- GAO report, "

Greenwire, Apr. 4, 2005.

 

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