A Pharmaceutical company, Sanofi recently issued a a statement from 14 experts refuting criticism of one of their drugs as possibly being linked with cancer.
What they failed to do was to say that 13 of the 14 experts had financial or similar links to Sanofi. Embarrassingly, they were forced to issue a correction.
Though some such links are bound to happen, and are usually beneficial, there are times when they should be disclosed – and immediately. No code of practice applies to situations like this, when lives – perhaps many lives – may be at stake. The industry should look at applying such a code.
