http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2642863
NIH to put limits on staff’s work with drug firms
June 22, 2004, 11:58PM
NIH to put limits on staff’s work with drug firms
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The National Institutes of Health will tighten restrictions on its scientists’ work with drug companies, including random audits to catch unreported conflicts of interest, the agency’s chief told Congress on Tuesday.
The proposal came as lawmakers cited evidence of alleged secret deals in which some NIH scientists apparently didn’t report industry consulting —
including one worth half a million dollars over five years.
The House oversight subcommittee is investigating 100 consulting cases that it’s not clear the agency knew about, said Rep. James Greenwood, R-Pa., the panel’s chairman.
Some NIH industry collaboration is vital to translate discoveries into medical practice, said Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who directs the nation’s premiere government research agency.
But a small number of employees who received thousands of dollars as company consultants has raised questions of potential conflicts of interest.
On Tuesday, Zerhouni said he will tighten ethics restrictions to guard against conflicts,including:
.A total ban on outside consulting by senior NIH officials and anyone involved in awarding NIH research grants.
.No NIH employee can receive stock as payment. Also, many will be prohibited from holding stock in individual medical companies, and others will be limited to $5,000 worth.
.Outside work will be limited to 400 hours a year, with payment limited to 25 percent of base salary.