Biederman Defender Has Ties To Biederman
11 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // June 9th, 2008 // 4:57 pm
In a revealing piece about conflicts of interest involving academic researchers, NIH grants and pharma funding, The New York Times noted that Harvard child psychiatrist Joseph Biederman defended his work into bipolar disorder and that he takes conflict of interest charges seriously.
Biederman, who has been lauded and criticized for advancing bipolar diagnosis for kids and off-label med use, had another defender. Susan Resko, director of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, told the Times: “I consider Dr. Biederman a true visionary in recognizing this illness in children, and he’s not only saved many lives but restored hope to thousands of families across the country.”
Two points worth noting - a major donor to the foundation is Johnson & Johnson, which sells Risperdal, a drug that was approved only last August to treat children 10 years and older with bipolar disorder. Also, Biederman is the first person listed on the foundation’s advisory council.
Hat tip to AHRP
Mike
Guess who else is listed on the advisory council? Melissa Del Bello.
Nathan
Where did you get the idea that J&J is a donor? J&J is *not* listed as a donor on the link above. Lots of other sponsors including Merck, a church, a women’s association, several individuals, and Google. But not J&J…
Ed Silverman
Hi Nathan,
The list of major donors includes Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which is owned by Johnson & Johnson.
ed
Atlex
Ed,
Again, I’m perplexed as to why this is news. I can understand the initial rpeort; not reporting work-related outside income to one’s employer can be news. But in this case, who do you think would come to Biederman’s defense–his enemies? It would be news if LVS came to his defense.
Atlex
Laurie
There are other people that read this site who have no idea of Biederman’s background. This IS news, when this doctor is on national tv selling his theories with altruistic fervor, and the reality of his practice is far from altruistic OR in the patients best interest. I welcome every single discovery about his financial backing.
Ed Silverman
Hi Atlex,
I was just pointing out the connection, which wouldn’t have been clear otherwise. Yes, it’s unlikely his ‘enemies’ would rise to his defense, but this was an effort to clarify the status of this particular ally. Just putting things on the table, as it were.
Regards
ed
Lisa Van S
Ed,
Interesting post,… I am glad someone exposed this. Why should Ms. Resko be granted immunity from criticism,… heck, folks on this site have questioned my conflicts of interest for quite some tome now.
Lisa Van S
Atlex,
Bierderman has a defense?.. Thanks for the comment, I had a good laugh!.
Bill
Biederman et al have done a great disservice to those trying to better th lives of these seriously ill kids. It sure doesn’t look good for CABF to have at least three of their professional advisory board found to be in bed with big pharma and that big pharma supports them as well. The Scientologists are going to love this.
William
This is all so sordid. The foxes guarding the henhouse for a long time now. Hopefully this will lead to some real reforms, but I will not be holding my breath. Big Pharma is too powerful and too great a contributor to the politicians in the US.
I have sat in “industry supported symposia” and seen their horrible research and statistics. I have seen all the psychiatrists nodding and agreeing with the “well known presentor”, they don’t have a clue as to how poor the research is. when I have handed in the question cards, mine never gets an answer to the audience as I ask about statistics and p values that skew the results in the direction they want it to go. All very deceitful.
Perks
William, this audio interview may be of help. It does bring up the issue of non-disclosure by Biederman and colleagues amongst many other things. http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/06/20080612_a_main.asp