Lawmakers Grill NIH Director Over Institute’s Cozy Relationship With Alcohol Industry
NIH Director Francis Collins assured the lawmakers he was "aggressively" investigating the ethical concerns over scientists' reported attempts to woo the industry into funding a study that touts the benefits of moderate drinking.
Stat:
NIH Looking At Alcohol Industry Influence 'In A Very Aggressive Way'
The controversy over research conducted by the National Institutes of Health on the health impacts of moderate drinking has reached Capitol Hill, where a lawmaker on Wednesday stridently questioned the agency’s director, Francis Collins, over the NIH’s reportedly cozy relationship with the alcohol industry. In response to a question about reports that the NIH had allowed industry partnerships to influence research into alcohol use and the impact of alcohol marketing, Collins told Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) that the NIH is “looking into this in a very aggressive way.” (Facher, 4/11)
The Hill:
NIH Investigating 'Alarming' Report On Funding For Alcohol Study: Official
Public health advocates argue the fundraising violates NIH policy, which prohibits employees from soliciting or suggesting donations to support activities. "I am also very concerned about the materials that have been reported ... about these circumstances, which I agree are alarming," Collins said Wednesday during a congressional hearing on the NIH's budget request. "We are looking at this in a very aggressive way." (Hellmann, 4/11)
