Conflict of interest Statements : current dilemma and a possible way forward

Abstract

A definition of the term ‘conflict of interest’ was suggested by Dennis Thompson in (1993) and can still be considered valid: ‘A conflict of interest is a set of circumstances that creates a risk that professional judgement or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest’ (Thompson 1993). Today, the ‘circumstances’ from Thompson’s definition have been restricted almost exclusively to funding or payment from industry. This form of a potential conflict of interest (CoI) is currently handled quite rigorously. For example, in the USA, industry-funded scientists are usually excluded from governmental advisory bodies. This reflects a development which took place during the past 20 years. Back in 2002, there was still an open debate as to whether industry-funded scientists should be included into governmental expert commissions and whether ‘one should look at the data and not who generated the data’ (SOT 2002). While it is beyond dispute that industry employment or funding could potentially represent a CoI, it is just as critical that other circumstances that also could create a secondary interest are taken equally into account.