Top Antipsychotic Pushing Psychiatrist under Investigation

[Guest guest]

"Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder,... His research contributedto a forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children." New York TimesPsychiatrist to Curtail Industry-Funded ActivitiesBy PAM BELLUCKDecember 30, 2008A prominent Harvard child psychiatrist will curtail activities financedby the drug industry while Massachusetts General Hospital investigateshis failure for years to disclose the consulting fees he received fromdrug makers.Dr. ph Biederman, a world-renowned and controversial researcher onchildhood mental illness, has agreed to stop participating in speakingengagements and other activities paid for by pharmaceutical companies,and also to stop his work on industry-funded activities within thehospital. That includes some clinical trials that are currently underwayat the hospital, said Peggy Slasman, a spokeswoman for MassachusettsGeneral.She said the trials would continue, but Dr. Biederman would not beinvolved."He's just not going to be doing any of that as long as these reviewprocesses go on, until they wrap up and some decisions are made," Ms.Slasman said. The hospital said in a statement that it is evaluatingwhether Dr. Biederman violated rules "related to potential conflicts ofinterest, disclosure and industry-institutional relationships."Ms. Slasman said that Dr. Biederman would be allowed to continue workingon federally funded research during the review.A lawyer for Dr. Biederman, Spivack, said, "The agreement is onethat was mutual.""We support M.G.H.'s desire to do an inquiry, and Dr. Biederman iscooperating with them," Mr. Spivack added.Mr. Spivack said that if issues arise with any of Dr. Biederman'spatients who are participating in the industry-funded clinical trials,"he'll consult with his superiors" and will "be involved for thepatient's sake" to ensure that important information about the patientis relayed to doctors involved in the trial.He said that the agreement will also prevent Dr. Biederman fromparticipating in some conferences in his field that receive industrymoney.Earlier this year, a Congressional investigation of payments received byphysicians from industry sources found that Dr. Biederman had been paidat least $1.6 million in consulting fees by drug makers from 2000 to2007, but had failed to report much of this income to Harvard officialsfor several years.Dr. Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder... His research contributed toa forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children. Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/health/policy/31psych.html?_r=1 & ref=policyWall Street JournalDrug Researcher Agrees to Curb RoleBy JENNIFER LEVITZDecember 30, 2008ph Biederman, a top researcher on the use of psychiatric drugs inchildren, agreed to stop participating in several industry-funded drugtrials and curb other activities pending the outcome of a Bostonhospital's inquiry into his potential conflicts of interest anddisclosure obligations.The deal, announced Tuesday by Massachusetts General Hospital, where Dr.Biederman conducts research, followed several allegations related to hisrelationships with drug companies. Dr. Biederman has been a prominentbacker of childhood use of & 's Risperdal, a top-sellingantipsychotic drug.A U.S. Senate review found that Dr. Biederman had received $1.6 millionin payments from drug companies between 2000 and 2007 while reportingonly a fraction of that amount to Harvard University, where he is afaculty member. Separately, Massachusetts General has said it wasconcerned that an institute that Dr. Biederman and J & J worked togetherto create at the hospital was used to promote Risperdal's use inchildren, rather than for scientific or educational purposes.Dr. Biederman declined to comment but said in a letter published thismonth in The Wall Street Journal that J & J's interests didn't interferewith the institute's work.In a statement Tuesday, J & J's Janssen unit said that in funding theinstitute from 2002 to 2004 it "followed strict guidelines to ensurescientific independence and did not direct the content or conclusions ofthe research."In its statement, Massachusetts General said Dr. Biederman would stopindustry-funded activities at the hospital until its review wascompleted. Hospital spokeswoman Peggy Slasman said that would mean Dr.Biederman would discontinue his participation in several industry-fundedclinical trials there. The hospital declined to describe the studies,which it said would continue under a different doctor.Dr. Biederman also agreed not to participate in "any outside activitiesthat are paid for or sponsored by industry, such as consultingactivities or speaking engagements," the hospital said. Spivack, Dr. Biederman's attorney, said his client "understandsthe institution's desire to have a full inquiry and supports that."Harvard University Medical School is also conducting its own review ofDr. Biederman, according to Cameron, its spokesman, but hasn'tcurtailed the doctor's role at the school.The inquiries come amid scrutiny of drug-industry payments to doctors atacademic medical centers and the hospitals' oversight of those payments.Sen. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has accused many schools offailing to supervise researchers adequately.In a statement Tuesday, Sen. Grassley, a critic of Dr. Biederman, said,"It's positive that Massachusetts General Hospital is taking someaction." Source:http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123068708012744467-lMyQjAxMDI4MzMwMDYzODA3Wj.html

[Guest guest]

"Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder,... His research contributedto a forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children." New York TimesPsychiatrist to Curtail Industry-Funded ActivitiesBy PAM BELLUCKDecember 30, 2008A prominent Harvard child psychiatrist will curtail activities financedby the drug industry while Massachusetts General Hospital investigateshis failure for years to disclose the consulting fees he received fromdrug makers.Dr. ph Biederman, a world-renowned and controversial researcher onchildhood mental illness, has agreed to stop participating in speakingengagements and other activities paid for by pharmaceutical companies,and also to stop his work on industry-funded activities within thehospital. That includes some clinical trials that are currently underwayat the hospital, said Peggy Slasman, a spokeswoman for MassachusettsGeneral.She said the trials would continue, but Dr. Biederman would not beinvolved."He's just not going to be doing any of that as long as these reviewprocesses go on, until they wrap up and some decisions are made," Ms.Slasman said. The hospital said in a statement that it is evaluatingwhether Dr. Biederman violated rules "related to potential conflicts ofinterest, disclosure and industry-institutional relationships."Ms. Slasman said that Dr. Biederman would be allowed to continue workingon federally funded research during the review.A lawyer for Dr. Biederman, Spivack, said, "The agreement is onethat was mutual.""We support M.G.H.'s desire to do an inquiry, and Dr. Biederman iscooperating with them," Mr. Spivack added.Mr. Spivack said that if issues arise with any of Dr. Biederman'spatients who are participating in the industry-funded clinical trials,"he'll consult with his superiors" and will "be involved for thepatient's sake" to ensure that important information about the patientis relayed to doctors involved in the trial.He said that the agreement will also prevent Dr. Biederman fromparticipating in some conferences in his field that receive industrymoney.Earlier this year, a Congressional investigation of payments received byphysicians from industry sources found that Dr. Biederman had been paidat least $1.6 million in consulting fees by drug makers from 2000 to2007, but had failed to report much of this income to Harvard officialsfor several years.Dr. Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder... His research contributed toa forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children. Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/health/policy/31psych.html?_r=1 & ref=policyWall Street JournalDrug Researcher Agrees to Curb RoleBy JENNIFER LEVITZDecember 30, 2008ph Biederman, a top researcher on the use of psychiatric drugs inchildren, agreed to stop participating in several industry-funded drugtrials and curb other activities pending the outcome of a Bostonhospital's inquiry into his potential conflicts of interest anddisclosure obligations.The deal, announced Tuesday by Massachusetts General Hospital, where Dr.Biederman conducts research, followed several allegations related to hisrelationships with drug companies. Dr. Biederman has been a prominentbacker of childhood use of & 's Risperdal, a top-sellingantipsychotic drug.A U.S. Senate review found that Dr. Biederman had received $1.6 millionin payments from drug companies between 2000 and 2007 while reportingonly a fraction of that amount to Harvard University, where he is afaculty member. Separately, Massachusetts General has said it wasconcerned that an institute that Dr. Biederman and J & J worked togetherto create at the hospital was used to promote Risperdal's use inchildren, rather than for scientific or educational purposes.Dr. Biederman declined to comment but said in a letter published thismonth in The Wall Street Journal that J & J's interests didn't interferewith the institute's work.In a statement Tuesday, J & J's Janssen unit said that in funding theinstitute from 2002 to 2004 it "followed strict guidelines to ensurescientific independence and did not direct the content or conclusions ofthe research."In its statement, Massachusetts General said Dr. Biederman would stopindustry-funded activities at the hospital until its review wascompleted. Hospital spokeswoman Peggy Slasman said that would mean Dr.Biederman would discontinue his participation in several industry-fundedclinical trials there. The hospital declined to describe the studies,which it said would continue under a different doctor.Dr. Biederman also agreed not to participate in "any outside activitiesthat are paid for or sponsored by industry, such as consultingactivities or speaking engagements," the hospital said. Spivack, Dr. Biederman's attorney, said his client "understandsthe institution's desire to have a full inquiry and supports that."Harvard University Medical School is also conducting its own review ofDr. Biederman, according to Cameron, its spokesman, but hasn'tcurtailed the doctor's role at the school.The inquiries come amid scrutiny of drug-industry payments to doctors atacademic medical centers and the hospitals' oversight of those payments.Sen. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has accused many schools offailing to supervise researchers adequately.In a statement Tuesday, Sen. Grassley, a critic of Dr. Biederman, said,"It's positive that Massachusetts General Hospital is taking someaction." Source:http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123068708012744467-lMyQjAxMDI4MzMwMDYzODA3Wj.html

[Guest guest]

"Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder,... His research contributedto a forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children." New York TimesPsychiatrist to Curtail Industry-Funded ActivitiesBy PAM BELLUCKDecember 30, 2008A prominent Harvard child psychiatrist will curtail activities financedby the drug industry while Massachusetts General Hospital investigateshis failure for years to disclose the consulting fees he received fromdrug makers.Dr. ph Biederman, a world-renowned and controversial researcher onchildhood mental illness, has agreed to stop participating in speakingengagements and other activities paid for by pharmaceutical companies,and also to stop his work on industry-funded activities within thehospital. That includes some clinical trials that are currently underwayat the hospital, said Peggy Slasman, a spokeswoman for MassachusettsGeneral.She said the trials would continue, but Dr. Biederman would not beinvolved."He's just not going to be doing any of that as long as these reviewprocesses go on, until they wrap up and some decisions are made," Ms.Slasman said. The hospital said in a statement that it is evaluatingwhether Dr. Biederman violated rules "related to potential conflicts ofinterest, disclosure and industry-institutional relationships."Ms. Slasman said that Dr. Biederman would be allowed to continue workingon federally funded research during the review.A lawyer for Dr. Biederman, Spivack, said, "The agreement is onethat was mutual.""We support M.G.H.'s desire to do an inquiry, and Dr. Biederman iscooperating with them," Mr. Spivack added.Mr. Spivack said that if issues arise with any of Dr. Biederman'spatients who are participating in the industry-funded clinical trials,"he'll consult with his superiors" and will "be involved for thepatient's sake" to ensure that important information about the patientis relayed to doctors involved in the trial.He said that the agreement will also prevent Dr. Biederman fromparticipating in some conferences in his field that receive industrymoney.Earlier this year, a Congressional investigation of payments received byphysicians from industry sources found that Dr. Biederman had been paidat least $1.6 million in consulting fees by drug makers from 2000 to2007, but had failed to report much of this income to Harvard officialsfor several years.Dr. Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder... His research contributed toa forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children. Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/health/policy/31psych.html?_r=1 & ref=policyWall Street JournalDrug Researcher Agrees to Curb RoleBy JENNIFER LEVITZDecember 30, 2008ph Biederman, a top researcher on the use of psychiatric drugs inchildren, agreed to stop participating in several industry-funded drugtrials and curb other activities pending the outcome of a Bostonhospital's inquiry into his potential conflicts of interest anddisclosure obligations.The deal, announced Tuesday by Massachusetts General Hospital, where Dr.Biederman conducts research, followed several allegations related to hisrelationships with drug companies. Dr. Biederman has been a prominentbacker of childhood use of & 's Risperdal, a top-sellingantipsychotic drug.A U.S. Senate review found that Dr. Biederman had received $1.6 millionin payments from drug companies between 2000 and 2007 while reportingonly a fraction of that amount to Harvard University, where he is afaculty member. Separately, Massachusetts General has said it wasconcerned that an institute that Dr. Biederman and J & J worked togetherto create at the hospital was used to promote Risperdal's use inchildren, rather than for scientific or educational purposes.Dr. Biederman declined to comment but said in a letter published thismonth in The Wall Street Journal that J & J's interests didn't interferewith the institute's work.In a statement Tuesday, J & J's Janssen unit said that in funding theinstitute from 2002 to 2004 it "followed strict guidelines to ensurescientific independence and did not direct the content or conclusions ofthe research."In its statement, Massachusetts General said Dr. Biederman would stopindustry-funded activities at the hospital until its review wascompleted. Hospital spokeswoman Peggy Slasman said that would mean Dr.Biederman would discontinue his participation in several industry-fundedclinical trials there. The hospital declined to describe the studies,which it said would continue under a different doctor.Dr. Biederman also agreed not to participate in "any outside activitiesthat are paid for or sponsored by industry, such as consultingactivities or speaking engagements," the hospital said. Spivack, Dr. Biederman's attorney, said his client "understandsthe institution's desire to have a full inquiry and supports that."Harvard University Medical School is also conducting its own review ofDr. Biederman, according to Cameron, its spokesman, but hasn'tcurtailed the doctor's role at the school.The inquiries come amid scrutiny of drug-industry payments to doctors atacademic medical centers and the hospitals' oversight of those payments.Sen. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has accused many schools offailing to supervise researchers adequately.In a statement Tuesday, Sen. Grassley, a critic of Dr. Biederman, said,"It's positive that Massachusetts General Hospital is taking someaction." Source:http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123068708012744467-lMyQjAxMDI4MzMwMDYzODA3Wj.html

[Guest guest]

"Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder,... His research contributedto a forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children." New York TimesPsychiatrist to Curtail Industry-Funded ActivitiesBy PAM BELLUCKDecember 30, 2008A prominent Harvard child psychiatrist will curtail activities financedby the drug industry while Massachusetts General Hospital investigateshis failure for years to disclose the consulting fees he received fromdrug makers.Dr. ph Biederman, a world-renowned and controversial researcher onchildhood mental illness, has agreed to stop participating in speakingengagements and other activities paid for by pharmaceutical companies,and also to stop his work on industry-funded activities within thehospital. That includes some clinical trials that are currently underwayat the hospital, said Peggy Slasman, a spokeswoman for MassachusettsGeneral.She said the trials would continue, but Dr. Biederman would not beinvolved."He's just not going to be doing any of that as long as these reviewprocesses go on, until they wrap up and some decisions are made," Ms.Slasman said. The hospital said in a statement that it is evaluatingwhether Dr. Biederman violated rules "related to potential conflicts ofinterest, disclosure and industry-institutional relationships."Ms. Slasman said that Dr. Biederman would be allowed to continue workingon federally funded research during the review.A lawyer for Dr. Biederman, Spivack, said, "The agreement is onethat was mutual.""We support M.G.H.'s desire to do an inquiry, and Dr. Biederman iscooperating with them," Mr. Spivack added.Mr. Spivack said that if issues arise with any of Dr. Biederman'spatients who are participating in the industry-funded clinical trials,"he'll consult with his superiors" and will "be involved for thepatient's sake" to ensure that important information about the patientis relayed to doctors involved in the trial.He said that the agreement will also prevent Dr. Biederman fromparticipating in some conferences in his field that receive industrymoney.Earlier this year, a Congressional investigation of payments received byphysicians from industry sources found that Dr. Biederman had been paidat least $1.6 million in consulting fees by drug makers from 2000 to2007, but had failed to report much of this income to Harvard officialsfor several years.Dr. Biederman has been a leading advocate for the idea that very youngchildren can suffer from bipolar disorder... His research contributed toa forty-fold increase in diagnoses of pediatric bipolar disorder from1994 to 2003, as well as to a rapid increase in the prescribing ofpotent and potentially dangerous antipsychotic drugs to children. Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/health/policy/31psych.html?_r=1 & ref=policyWall Street JournalDrug Researcher Agrees to Curb RoleBy JENNIFER LEVITZDecember 30, 2008ph Biederman, a top researcher on the use of psychiatric drugs inchildren, agreed to stop participating in several industry-funded drugtrials and curb other activities pending the outcome of a Bostonhospital's inquiry into his potential conflicts of interest anddisclosure obligations.The deal, announced Tuesday by Massachusetts General Hospital, where Dr.Biederman conducts research, followed several allegations related to hisrelationships with drug companies. Dr. Biederman has been a prominentbacker of childhood use of & 's Risperdal, a top-sellingantipsychotic drug.A U.S. Senate review found that Dr. Biederman had received $1.6 millionin payments from drug companies between 2000 and 2007 while reportingonly a fraction of that amount to Harvard University, where he is afaculty member. Separately, Massachusetts General has said it wasconcerned that an institute that Dr. Biederman and J & J worked togetherto create at the hospital was used to promote Risperdal's use inchildren, rather than for scientific or educational purposes.Dr. Biederman declined to comment but said in a letter published thismonth in The Wall Street Journal that J & J's interests didn't interferewith the institute's work.In a statement Tuesday, J & J's Janssen unit said that in funding theinstitute from 2002 to 2004 it "followed strict guidelines to ensurescientific independence and did not direct the content or conclusions ofthe research."In its statement, Massachusetts General said Dr. Biederman would stopindustry-funded activities at the hospital until its review wascompleted. Hospital spokeswoman Peggy Slasman said that would mean Dr.Biederman would discontinue his participation in several industry-fundedclinical trials there. The hospital declined to describe the studies,which it said would continue under a different doctor.Dr. Biederman also agreed not to participate in "any outside activitiesthat are paid for or sponsored by industry, such as consultingactivities or speaking engagements," the hospital said. Spivack, Dr. Biederman's attorney, said his client "understandsthe institution's desire to have a full inquiry and supports that."Harvard University Medical School is also conducting its own review ofDr. Biederman, according to Cameron, its spokesman, but hasn'tcurtailed the doctor's role at the school.The inquiries come amid scrutiny of drug-industry payments to doctors atacademic medical centers and the hospitals' oversight of those payments.Sen. Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has accused many schools offailing to supervise researchers adequately.In a statement Tuesday, Sen. Grassley, a critic of Dr. Biederman, said,"It's positive that Massachusetts General Hospital is taking someaction." Source:http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123068708012744467-lMyQjAxMDI4MzMwMDYzODA3Wj.html