Cancer Trial Enrollees Unconcerned With Researchers’ Ties to Drug Companies
The majority of cancer patients enrolled in clinical studies are not concerned about whether the doctor running the trial has financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, according to a survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Washington Post reports. Ezekiel Emanuel and Lindsay Hampson of NIH's Department of Clinical Bioethics surveyed 253 cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials at five U.S. medical centers. Of those surveyed, 80% said they were "not worried at all" that the doctor leading the study may have a stake in the company of the product being studied. The survey also found the following:
- 70% said they were not worried about relationships between the cancer center and the drug company;
- More than 60% said it was acceptable for researchers to own stock in the company whose drug they were testing;
- 70% said they were unconcerned whether doctors received royalty payments from involved companies, and 80% said the same about consulting fees;
- Most participants said they would oppose bans on such relationships and some said they would be more likely to participate if a company were involved in the study;
- Those with the highest education levels tended to be more concerned about conflicts of interest. Most participants in the survey had higher income levels and were well-educated;
- Less than one-third said they wanted to know about potential conflicts; and
- 62% said they presumed an oversight system was in place to address any issues with conflicts of interest (Washington Post, 11/30).
Comments
Emanuel said, "This is completely counterintuitive, but when you step back, it makes a lot of sense." He added that patients "are focused on getting the best care for their cancer" (Rockoff, Baltimore Sun, 11/30). David Korn, senior vice president of the Association of American Medical Colleges, said despite the findings, participants have a "right to know" if researchers have finical ties to the pharmaceutical industry, adding, "What if they find out later? Then it becomes a worm of mistrust" (Washington Post, 11/30).
The study is available online.
