80% of patient advocacy groups take money from drug, device companies
The vast majority of the top nonprofit patient advocacy groups accepted donations from manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
As discussed in the New York Times, the groups denied suggestions the funding buys influence from corporate donors. But for some organizations, industry money makes up more than half their funding and pharmaceutical or medical device executives may sit on the governing boards of these nonprofit groups.
“Compared to what researchers are doing, this is pathetic,” Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, vice provost at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of the study, told the Times. “They wrap themselves in white as if they’re pure.”
For more on how the groups’ disclosures compare to what physicians involved in medical research are expected to reveal, click on the link below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.