July 15, 2005 – An internal National Institutes of Health review of the financial relationship between pharmaceutical companies and federal scientists found 44 rule violations. Of those, nine may have actually broken criminal laws, the LA Times reported yesterday.
The investigation is ongoing and NIH Director Elias Zerhouni requested that the information be kept private, the New York Times revealed today. Reportedly, between 81 and 103 NIH doctors are under active investigation for receiving compensation from drug companies without following proper procedures.
NIH regulations require physicians to obtain pre-approval for working with drug companies in order to inhibit possible conflicts of interests. Payment received for the work must be reported as such.
Since February, NIH doctors have been banned from receiving money or stock from pharmaceutical companies.
Representatives Joe Barton (R-Texas) and John Dingell (D-Michigan) were noted by both the newspapers as being behind the release of information about the NIH investigation. The LA Times reported obtaining a copy of a letter from Director Zerhouni to Rep. Barton about the ongoing review of Institute physicians.
