Experts On Vaccine Advisory Panels Had Conflicts, CDC Report Says

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health
Article Date: 21 Dec 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Sixty-four percent of the advisers hired by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007 to serve on panels evaluating cervical cancer and flu vaccines had potential conflicts of interest that were unresolved or were not identified by the agency, according to a new report by HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson, the New York Times reports. The report, expected to be released Friday, faults CDC for failing to ensure that nearly all of the experts adequately completed forms pertaining to their financial ties to companies that could profit from CDC decisions.

Levinson found that 13% of the advisers did not have an appropriate conflicts form on file with CDC, which should have disqualified them from participating in the meetings. Three percent of the advisers voted on issues that ethics officers had already prohibited them from considering, according to the report. Most of the advisers Levinson identified either had a job or received a grant from a company or entity that would be affected by the panels' decisions. Many of the advisers also owned stock in these companies, the report found.

Levinson said CDC needed to improve its screening efforts to prevent conflicts of interest. CDC Director Thomas Frieden said, "Since the period covered in this review, CDC has strengthened the financial disclosures and conflict-of-interest process by instituting improved business processes and realigning responsibilities and oversight" (Harris, New York Times, 12/18).

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