RESEARCH - Drug firms fund health advocacy groups

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Drug firms fund health advocacy groups

By Judith Graham

Tribune staff reporter

January 13, 2011, 1:28 p.m.

Many health advocacy organizations rely on financial support from drug

companies. But few disclose the extent of that funding or make

information easily accessible, according to a new report published

Thursday by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of

Public Health.

The groups often sit on important federal advisory boards and press

lawmakers for greater funding for medical research, more generous

reimbursement for brand-name drugs, and easy access to diagnostic

tests and medical devices for people afflicted by various illnesses.

Because of this, " our feeling is that a lot more openness and

disclosure needs to take place, " said Sheila Rothman, lead author of

the report in the American Journal of Public Health and a professor at

the Mailman School.

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Read the entire article here:

http://www.latimes.com/health/chi-drug-companies-health-groups,0,2221781.story

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