Conflict of interest : a tenacious ethical dilemma in public health policy, not only in clinical practice/research
Date
2012-12
Authors
London, L.
Matzopoulos, R.
Corrigall, J.
Myers, J. E.
Maker, A.
Parry, C. D. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
In addition to the ethical practice of individual health professionals, bioethical debate about conflict of interest (CoI) must include the
institutional ethics of public policy-making, as failure to establish independence from powerful stakeholder influence may pervert public
health goals. All involved in public policy processes are accountable for CoI, including experts, scientists, professionals, industry and
government officials. The liquor industry in South Africa is presented as a case study. Generic principles of how to identify, manage and
address CoI are discussed. We propose that health professionals and policy makers should avoid partnering with industries that are harmful
to health. Regarding institutional CoI, we recommend that there should be effective policies, procedures and processes for governing
public-private joint ventures with such industries. These include arms-length funding, maintaining the balance between contesting vested
interests, and full disclosure of the identity and affiliations of all participants in structures and reports pertaining to public policy-making.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.sajbl.org.za/
Keywords
Medical policy -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa, Conflict of interest -- South Africa, Public-private sector cooperation -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa
Citation
London, L. et al. 2012. Conflict of interest: a tenacious ethical dilemma in public health policy, not only in clinical practice/research. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 5(2):102-108, doi:10.7196/SAJBL.234.