Usually when we tell you about a conflict of interest case in which a doctor received funds from a pharmaceutical company, the pharmaceutical company offered the doctor the funds. In this case, though, Dr. Joseph Biederman seems to have solicited the funds himself.
Biederman wanted the funds to create a center at Massachusetts General Hospital for children with bipolar disorder, and in order to try to secure the funds he promised that his work would promote the use of anti-psychotic drugs for the children he was treating. Now a multi-state lawsuit is being brought against the drug companies on behalf of more than 2,000 patients who claim to have been injured by the anti-psychotic drugs, some of them children.
While Biederman is not a defendant, the case has brought to light possible conflicts of interest. Massachusetts General has promised to investigate any possible violations of their policies.
To learn more about the case:
- read this Boston Globe piece