The reason: a conflict of interest.

Until yesterday, Daryl Efron sat on the Royal College of Physicians committee that is conducting the first government-sponsored review in a decade of ADHD treatment guidelines. But earlier this week, it was disclosed that he also is a member of the advisory boards of both Novartis and Eli Lilly. Novartis, of course, sells Ritalin and Lilly markets Strattera.

And so he was asked to resign from the committee by Australian health minister Tony Abbott. Efron has “done the honourable thing,” says Abbott, adding that it was “not a good look” for Efron to have sat on the boards and the committee simultaneously.

Last week, Efron denied his opinions meant the outcome of the long-awaited review into the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD was prejudged. He said the committee worked under strict government guidelines. “The important thing is we declare our potential conflicts of interest,” Efron insisted.

Abbott said while he had faith in Efron’s impartiality, it was important the public had confidence in the outcome of the review. The RCP committee will recommend new clinical guidelines for general practitioners and specialists, who have more than doubled prescription rates for Ritalin and the related drug, dexamphetamine – from 116,320 to 264,296 – in the past decade.

Efron supports using Ritalin in some circumstances in children younger than six years old, which is the current cut-off. Joe Tucci, who heads the Australian Childhood Foundation, welcomed the resignation. “It makes us more hopeful that there will be an examination of the whole range of issues around ADHD treatment rather than being focused on medication.”

Diagnosis: Efron apparently suffered from another form Attention Deficit Disorder, which is a failure to appreciate the impression occupying such dual roles can create in the public mind. This is a point the medical community may want to focus on more often.

Further reading…
The Sunday Telegraph reports the resignation;
The Royal College of Physicians plans for new guidelines;
The Daily Telegraph reports Efron’s conflict.[tags]Conflicts Of Interest, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Ritalin, Strattera[/tags]