Cleveland Clinic to change conflict-of-interest policies

The Cleveland Clinic will make changes to its conflict-of-interest policies following the completion of an internal review. The hospital became the focus of criticism last year after the Wall Street Journal reported on the relationship between CEO Dr. Delos "Toby" Cosgrove and Foundation Medical Partners, a venture-capital fund started by the Clinic. Critics argued the fact medical devices and medicines developed by Clinic-owned companies were used in research and procedures created the potential for serious conflict of interest.

The story was one of a number that led to increased calls for regulatory oversight over the relationship between academic medical centers and private drug and medical device companies. Under the new guidelines, the Clinic's institutional review board, which oversees all research, will be given complete information on the Clinic's investments. Additional changes are expected in the next few months.

- see this article from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)
- read this article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer