More Questions for NIH

doi:10.1126/science.313.5789.903b

Account Information

Guest Alerts | Access Rights | My Account | Sign In

ScienceScope

Despite strict new rules on how researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) should interact with industry, the issue hasn't gone away. The latest case, reported last month by the Los Angeles Times, involves Thomas J. Walsh of the National Cancer Institute and his role in helping companies developing antifungal drugs.

In a 28 July letter to NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked if there is "a sufficient factual basis to formally investigate [larger] questions about [NIH] policy" raised by Walsh's conduct. The members requested Walsh's financial reports and reviews of his paid and unpaid consulting and other activities, which include discussing some companies' products before the Food and Drug Administration. NIH officials, who tell Science that Walsh was already an "open case," are preparing a response.