{"id":1827610,"date":"2023-01-29T08:35:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-29T13:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1827610"},"modified":"2023-01-29T08:38:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-29T13:38:44","slug":"corporate-funding-raises-ethical-concerns-about-medical-associations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/corporate-funding-raises-ethical-concerns-about-medical-associations\/","title":{"rendered":"Corporate Funding Raises Ethical Concerns About Medical Associations"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcorporate-funding-raises-ethical-concerns-about-medical-associations%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1827610&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Shutterstock_1721478367-1-1200x720-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\"   style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n<p>Professional medical associations (PMAs)<a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/2623622\">) are foundational<\/a> To the U.S. Medical System, they provide medical education and practice guidelines. There are many PMAs. But the most prominent and well-known are the. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-american-heart-association\">American Heart Association<\/a> (AHA), <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/2623622\">With<\/a> Over 33,000 members, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has over 64,000 members and the American Medical Association, which has more than 200,000 members.<\/p>\n<p>However, doctors have published opinions in medical journals that support this conclusion. <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/article-abstract\/2623622\">Conflicts<\/a> Interest (COIs), such as lack of transparency on industry money ahref=&#8221;https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6744772\/&#8221;>received,<\/a> These ethical issues can be challenging. Does it? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-funding\">Funding<\/a> Starting at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-drug\">Do you take drug?<\/a> or device maker influence an association\u2019s recommendation in its official guidelines? There are many reasons to be worried about this.<\/p>\n<p>These conflicts of interests are unacceptable \u201crequire PMAs to maintain a high degree of academic independence and scientific integrity by avoiding inappropriate influence from commercial interests,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28464156\/\">Write<\/a> In the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Steven Nissen. Dr. Nissen, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandjewishnews.com\/archives\/harsh-critic-of-fda-urges-its-dramatic-overhaul\/article_b619560a-087c-55b8-84a0-9def23c0e174.html\">Name<\/a> TIME magazine listed one of the most important people in 2007 as reported by the Cleveland Jewish News. \u201cSome physicians focus only on their medical practices, but along with actively maintaining mine, I have chosen to speak out on matters of public policy\u201d And \u201cto be free of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-conflict\">conflict<\/a> of interest, I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandjewishnews.com\/archives\/harsh-critic-of-fda-urges-its-dramatic-overhaul\/article_b619560a-087c-55b8-84a0-9def23c0e174.html\">never<\/a> receive an honorarium from any drug company I work with.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>The British Medical Journal identifies financial conflicts of interest<\/h2>\n<p>Researchers write in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/369\/bmj.m1505\">BMJ<\/a> In 2020, the following was done: \u201cmoney trail\u201d We analyzed the records of many prominent PMAs, and discovered that their leaders received substantial drug maker support from 2017 to 2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLeaders of the North American Spine Society received more than $9.5 million for general payments,\u201d Researchers wrote. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association received more than $4.7million during that time.\u00a0Michael McKee MD, president of Orthopaedic trauma Association, stated that the majority of funding was for research. Similar reasons were also given by other PMA leaders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cResearch payments linked to leaders of the American Society of Clinical Oncology were over $54 million and for those of the American College of Cardiology, almost $21 million,\u201d The BMJ study was noted.<\/p>\n<p>The researchers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/369\/bmj.m1505\">Obtained<\/a> The U.S. Centers for Medicare &#038; Medicaid Services (CMS), has the financial information open. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/openpayments\">Payments<\/a> System, which maintains transparent data bases mandated under the 2010 <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Physician_Payments_Sunshine_Act\">Sunshine<\/a> Get involved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/OpenPayments\/Glossary-and-Acronyms#coveredrecipient\">Divulgate<\/a> Financial relationships between industry, medical practitioners and teaching institutions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDespite their influence over key aspects of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-medicine\">medicine<\/a>, the leaders of professional medical associations have received limited scrutiny about their relationships with industry,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/369\/bmj.m1505\">Write<\/a> The researchers. \u201c[I]ndustries interested in maximizing markets,\u201d You can drive easily \u201coverdiagnosis, overuse, and overmedicalization,\u201d This will result in at least 20% of healthcare spending being wasted.<\/p>\n<h2>Is the American Heart Association\u2019s Food Certification Program a Conflict?<\/h2>\n<p>The Begriff is well-known to almost everyone. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_Heart_Association\">108<\/a>The American Heart Association (AHA), a 125-year-old organization, and its public health messaging. However, the organization is less well-known. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/company-collaboration\/heart-check-certification\/heart-check-in-the-grocery-store\/heart-check-food-certification-program-nutrition-requirements\">Paid<\/a> Produced by food manufacturers to include a \u201cheart-check\u201d Emblem <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/grocery-list\">hundreds<\/a> Foods that are edible \u201cAmerican Heart Association Certified Meets Criteria for Heart Healthy Food.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to AHA, food producers can pay as much as $6,000 to get their products. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/-\/media\/files\/healthy-living\/company-collaboration\/heart-check-certification\/hc-pricing-sheet.pdf\">Annual<\/a> Licenses are available for five different food products.\u00a0The program raises conflict of interest and medical veracity questions.<\/p>\n<p>In an a-href=&#8221;https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/statins_b_1818370&#8243;>interview<\/a> Barbara H. Roberts (cardiologist), author of The Truth About Statins &#8211; Risks and Alternatives for Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs. \u201cThe AHA rakes in millions from food corporations for the use of its \u2018heart-check mark.\u2019 Some of the so-called heart-healthy foods it has endorsed include Boar\u2019s Head All Natural Ham, which contains 340 milligrams of sodium in a two-ounce serving, and Boar\u2019s Head EverRoast Oven <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/grocery-list#q=Head%20EverRoast%20Oven%20Roasted%20Chicken%20Breast\">Roasted<\/a> Chicken Breast, which contains 440 milligrams of sodium in a two-ounce serving. High sodium intake raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/circ.ahajournals.org\/content\/121\/21\/2271.abstract\">studies have shown<\/a>\u00a0that eating processed meat increases the risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-diabetes\">diabetes<\/a> and atherosclerosis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When The Epoch Times contacted the AHA, they did not respond.<\/p>\n<h2>Questions about Diabetes Associations<\/h2>\n<p>According to its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdrf.org\/community\/partners\/corporate-partnerships\/\">Website<\/a>The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is funded by many corporations, including drug makers Abbott, Lilly Diabetes and Novo Nordisk. \u201cPlatinum Partners\u201d You can contribute between $1,000,000 and $2499,999 per year. Access to <a href=\"https:\/\/accesstomedicinefoundation.org\/news\/how-the-dominant-global-insulin-producers-must-scale-up-access-efforts-to-reach-people-with-diabetes-worldwide\">Medicine<\/a> Foundation calls Lilly Diabetes and Novo Nordisk two of the world\u2019s top three insulin makers. Sanofi is the third. Insulin is essential to diabetes care.https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/health\/health-news\/why-insulin-so-expensive-diabetes-united-states-rcna39295&#8243;>prohibitively<\/a> While some are more expensive than others, they can be very affordable. <a href=\"https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2022\/04\/diabetes-nonprofits-insulin-manufacturers-jdrf-ada-cost\">Ask<\/a> JDFR and ADA have not been as aggressive in protesting high insulin prices on behalf patients.<\/p>\n<p>The 2022 authors <a href=\"https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2022\/04\/diabetes-nonprofits-insulin-manufacturers-jdrf-ada-cost\">Story<\/a> Jacobin, a U.S. political magazine, reports that they have been affected by high insulin prices.\u00a0 \u201cLiving with this illness is a precarious existence. As people with T1D [type 1 diabetes], we have traveled to other countries to get cheaper versions of the drug and have been forced by insurance companies to use lower-quality insulin,\u201d They wrote. \u201cMany people with diabetes meet in parking lots to exchange supplies or starve themselves to lower the amount of insulin they need.\u201d \u00a0Twenty-five percent of insulin-dependent diabetics \u201cration insulin, which can lead to complications including life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis, blindness, amputation, and death,\u201d wrote\u00a0Annalisa Van Den Bergh and Robin Cressman.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. recent national legislation on diabetes and nonprofits was not well received by the authors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMajor diabetes nonprofits have supported incremental measures but have remained silent on more meaningful reform,\u201d They wrote. JDRF was and ADA were not.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdrf.org\/press-releases\/jdrf-official-statement-on-the-build-back-better-act-drug-pricing-deal\/#:~:text=JDRF%2520thanks%2520Members%2520of%2520Congress,the%2520U.S.%2520House%2520of%2520Representatives.\">Both<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.org\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2021\/house-embraces-historic-affordability-measures-in-build-back-better-act\">supported<\/a>\u00a0the insulin pricing cap in the Build Back Better bill and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/theshotnewsletter.substack.com\/p\/the-shot-the-house-passed-something\">House-passed<\/a>\u00a0Affordable Insulin Now Act which caps insulin out of pocket expenses. The measure only applies to copays, according to the Jacobin authors\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/jacobin.com\/2022\/04\/diabetes-nonprofits-insulin-manufacturers-jdrf-ada-cost\">Write<\/a>. \u201cCopay caps tie our survival to the health care status quo because anyone is at risk of losing their insurance, allow the big three to continue to profit from $300 a vial insulin, and in our view give the false impression that the problem is being solved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The ADA did not respond to The Epoch Times\u2019 request for a comment about its insulin pricing efforts but the JDRF did. The JDRF informed The Epoch Times that they have long advocated for lower insulin prices out-of-pocket for people with diabetes. \u201cThis includes our recent multi-million-dollar investment in the Civica insulin project that will provide three of the most frequently prescribed insulins for $30 per vial and $55 for a box of five pens, regardless of insurance status. We have also spent years lobbying Congress and calling on insulin manufacturers, health plans, employers, and the government to take action to lower the cost of insulin. These efforts have led to the recent $35 monthly cap on insulin costs for Medicare enrollees.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>PMA claims that less than 1% of its funding comes directly from insulin-producing companies. They also disclose the monies. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdrf.org\/about\/financials\/\">Their website<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jdrf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/FY22DonorHonorRoll.pdf\">Website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese companies have no role in decisions about advocacy and research priorities. Most of our funding comes from those affected by Type 1 diabetes, who raise funds from their friends, families, and professional contacts through our Walk, Gala, Ride, and other fundraising programs,\u201d JDRF was contacted.<\/p>\n<p>The JDRF is a valid argument for corporate funders with vested interest being used in judicious ways. However, there are other concerns.<\/p>\n<h2>Concerns about Association Conflicts of Interest are not new<\/h2>\n<p>It was more than ten years ago. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fightchronicdisease.org\/latest-news\/pharmaceutical-industry-influences-practice-and-guidelines\">Besorgnization<\/a> There were already concerns about how pharmaceutical funding could influence policy guidelines and clinicians. In the journal, researchers wrote. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22966109\/\">Annals<\/a> Family Medicine, \u201cthere has been dramatic increase in the diagnosis and pharmaceutical management of common chronic illnesses.\u201d They recommended following a study in Type 2 diabetes and hypertension treatment at 44 primary care clinics throughout Michigan. \u201climiting the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on clinical practice, toward improving the well-being of patients with chronic illness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An example of this apparent influence is <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.jsonline.com\/watchdog\/watchdogreports\/narcotics-use-for-chronic-pain-soars-among-seniors-kg56kih-155555495.html\/\">reported<\/a> The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. \u201cIn 2009, the American Geriatrics Society joined others in advocating for greater opioid use to treat chronic pain in seniors, especially those 75 and older,\u201d It was reported. \u201cThe new guidelines recommended that over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, be used rarely and that doctors instead consider prescribing opioids for all patients with moderate to severe pain,\u201d Read the article. \u201cThe group\u2019s guidelines are a key reference for thousands of doctors on the front line of medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Based on Geriatrics Society disclosures it was <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.jsonline.com\/watchdog\/watchdogreports\/narcotics-use-for-chronic-pain-soars-among-seniors-kg56kih-155555495.html\/\">Found<\/a> The pain recommendations were made by a group of 10 experts. \u201cfive had financial ties to opioid companies, as paid speakers, consultants or advisers at the time the guidelines were issued.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>The Epoch Times Reaches Out To Other Medical Associations<\/h2>\n<p>The Epoch Times asked the North American Spine Society to comment on the BMJ\u2019s characterization of its industry funding and Jeff Karzen, senior manager of publications at Society, said he had no comment.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. James Kirkpatrick, Chair of the American College of Cardiology [ACC] The Epoch Times received information from the Ethics and Compliance Committee about the BMJ article&#8217;s figures. \u201cThe ACC itself collaborates with industry, including in the administration of unrestricted, multi-company financial support. In doing so, we follow the highest standards of oversight, transparent\u00a0 structure, and unbiased management.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is worth noting that, in the BMJ study, more than 90 percent of payments made to ACC leaders was in the form of research support, which is categorically different than direct payments to physicians and other transfers of value, as it is usually administered through a third party, such as a medical school, research institute, or granting agency,\u201d He wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The American Society of Clinical Oncology also emphasized research support when responding to The Epoch Times\u2019 request for a comment. \u201cAs referenced by the BMJ article, the majority of financial relationships with healthcare companies were related to research and paid directly to academic institutions,\u201d The Society said so. \u201cThis research serves an important role in clinical oncology and is critical to making progress against cancer through improved treatments that advance cancer care for patients.\u200b\u200b\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Society&#8217;s website states: \u201cASCO regards the management of potential conflicts of interest as paramount to the integrity of ASCO\u2019s programs, products, and services. Its COI policy primarily relies on \u201cdisclosure of all financial relationships that might result in actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest\u201d However, \u201crecognizes that some relationships cannot be managed with disclosure alone and identifies additional management steps in this case.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Although PMAs can be invaluable in research and raising awareness about respective diseases, publishing journals, and providing medical education, some medical voices wish for more transparency with the industry, particularly when it comes practice guidelines. Both the authors and editors in the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22966109\/\">Annals<\/a> of Family Medicine and Jacobin have noted, the sales of pharmaceutical products should never come before patients\u2019 interests.<\/p>\n<p>You can search the site to find out if there is any industry funding for medical professionals, hospitals, or medical centers you might visit. <a href=\"https:\/\/openpaymentsdata.cms.gov\/\">CMS<\/a> Open Payments database. Another useful database where such information can be searched is ProPublica\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/docdollars\/\">Dollars<\/a> Site for Docs<\/p>\n<p><i>The views expressed in this article reflect the views only of the author. They do not necessarily reflect those of The Epoch Times. Epoch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-health\">Health<\/a> All are welcome to engage in professional discussion. Follow these guidelines to submit your opinion piece. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/submission-guidelines_4553495.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Use our form below<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Professional medical associations (PMAs)) are foundational To the U.S. Medical System, they provide medical education and practice guidelines. There are many PMAs. But the most prominent and well-known are the. American Heart Association (AHA), With Over 33,000 members, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has over 64,000 members and the American Medical Association, which &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1827613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[16867,5241,6079,6534,6513,4268,4224],"class_list":["post-1827610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-associations","tag-concerns","tag-corporate","tag-ethical","tag-funding","tag-medical","tag-raises"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1827610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1827610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1827610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1827613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1827610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1827610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1827610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}