Should drug companies be allowed to sponsor Cochrane reviews?
Ray Moynihan Barcelona The giant Cochrane Collaboration marked its 10th anniversary at a conference in Barcelona in October by launching an international debate about whether to embrace sponsorship from private industry. Professor Jim Neilson, cochair of the steering group that runs the collaboration, told CMAJ that a global consultation process will start in December. “Members have made it very clear they want to have input into this decision.” The collaboration, an international network of 10 000 researchers, produces up-to-date summaries about the value of therapies ranging from antidepressants to zinc supplements. They are based on systematic reviews (www.cochrane.org.), and until recently most were publicly funded. Now, some participants are exploring links with drug companies and other private-sector players with a vested interest in review outcomes. The issue is causing major conflicts within the global group. At the opening plenary session, Dr. Peter Gøtzsche, director of the N
