A.M.A. SEEKS MORE OPENNESS IN DRUG TRIALS

The nation's largest group of doctors called for an end to restrictions in drug trial contracts that prevent academic and other researchers from freely discussing test data and results. In a unanimous vote, the policy-making board of the American Medical Association adopted a resolution that called for the development of guidelines to eliminate confidentiality clauses that can prevent researchers who have worked on a drug trial from discussing its results with other researchers and doctors. "We think that removing these restrictive clauses and covenants will lead to the open exchange of ideas that is the foundation of scientific inquiry and medical practice," said Dr. David Fassler, a child psychiatrist in Burlington, Vt., who worked on the A.M.A. resolution. The resolution urges the A.M.A. to enter into talks with the drug industry's trade organization, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and other groups to develop new contract guidelines that eliminate confidentiality restrictions.

Barry Meier, The New York Times, 12/07/2004