Health

How Hill & Knowlton Pioneered Unsound Science

by Diane Farsetta — April 16, 2007 - 3:11pm

In the 1950s, with the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer becoming well established, the tobacco industry was in crisis.

Main Source: 
AlterNet, April 16, 2007

NIH Cancels Contract with Conflicted Consultants

by Diane Farsetta — April 16, 2007 - 11:51am

Sciences International -- the firm that evaluated the safety of certain chemicals for the U.S. Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction, "helping the government determine whether they pose dangers to reproduction and newborn babies" -- has been fired by the federal government.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, April 14, 2007

European Ban on Drug Ads Under Pressure

by Bob Burton — April 13, 2007 - 5:06am

Later this month, proposals "that would jeopardise the current ban on direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs" in the European Union will be unveiled, reports Hannah Brown.

Main Source: 
British Medical Journal (sub req'd), March 31, 2007

Consulting Firm OK's Its Own Conflicts of Interest

by Diane Farsetta — April 6, 2007 - 5:57pm

"The National Institutes of Health has temporarily suspended" the consulting firm Sciences International, which "had been reviewing the health dangers of chemicals for the government while also working for the chemical industry," reports Marla Cone. The evaluation of the firm's work is ongoing, and its $5 million government contract, "which runs through June 2008," remains in force.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, April 4, 2007

Don't Worry Your Pretty Heads, Says Cosmetics Industry

by Diane Farsetta — March 29, 2007 - 11:47am

In response to growing concerns about the safety of some cosmetics, the industry group Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) "has embarked on what it calls an 'education process' designed to reassure consumers." As the Center for Media and Democracy reported

Main Source: 
Women's eNews, March 23, 2007

Minnesota Doctors on Drug Company Drip

by Bob Burton — March 23, 2007 - 3:48am

An examination of records from Minnesota, where legislation requires drug company payments to doctors to be disclosed, reveals that between 1997 and 2005 over 5,500 medical professionals in the state were paid a total of over $57 million. Gardiner Harris and Janet Roberts report that "another $40 million went to clinics, research centers and other organizations. More than 20 percent of the state’s licensed physicians received money.

Main Source: 
New York Times, March 21, 2007
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