Attorneys Arnold Friede and Robert Nicholas (both McDermott,Will & Emery) say calls for an investigation into support for the AmericanHeart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology are likely toconvince other scientific groups not to speak out on issues of public concern.The two groups were criticized for issuing statements on the results of thecontroversial Vytorin ENHANCE study.
Writing in a Washington Legal Foundation Legal Backgrounder,Friede and Nicholas say the statements issued by the groups did little morethan to advise patients to consult doctors before stopping taking Vytorin.
However, the House Energy and Commerce Committee reportedlyplans to send letters to the two groups opening an investigation into theirrelationships with drug manufacturers because their statements did not disclosethe company financial support they receive.
The attorneys say no onecan question the status of the AHA and American College of Cardiology asscientific speakers in the debate about some of the most important publichealth issues of our time, even if they receive some financial support fromcommercial interests.
From the April 01, 2008 Issue of MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
