NIMH’s Insel On Nemeroff: ‘I Regret My Actions’
8 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // July 8th, 2010 // 9:14 am
For the past several weeks, National Institute of Mental Health director Tom Insel has found himself at the center of a furious controversy over conflicts of interest involving academic researchers who simultaneously receive NIH funding and do work for drugmakers. An ongoing probe, meanwhile, by the Senate Finance Committee has made a poster boy of Charles Nemeroff, an old Insel colleague who recently landed a job as the psychiatry chair at the University of Miami med school.
Insel was caught up in this affair, because he spoke with the med school dean Pascal Goldschmidt, who asked for a reference before hiring Nemeroff, who was working at Emory University when the Senate committee learned of the large consulting fees he received from GlaxoSmithKline. The query from Goldschmidt was made just as Insel was co-chairing an NIH panel on forming new conflict rules - which permit Nemeroff to apply for grants at Miami, even though Emory barred him from doing so (back story here, here, here and here).
In a recent blog post, Insel tried to distance himself from Nemeroff, but he had to update the item because it appeared misleading. Now, in response to pressure from Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the committtee, Insel has issued a mea culpa. In a July 7 letter, in which he insists he remains a staunch advocate of dismantling conflicts of interest, Insel agrees that Nemeroff’s conduct at Emory was an “egregious violation” of NIH policy and rules, and he does not “condone” the gap in NIH rules that allow Nemeroff to receive new NIH grants at his new job.
He then writes that “I now recognize that my willingness to speak with a University of Miami official about Dr. Nemeroff’s eligibility for continued research funding from the NIH may have created the appearance of favoritism. In retrospect, I regret that my actions, although routine in the case of other recruitments, appear inappropriate for a federal research official given my past association with Dr. Nemeroff.” Insel add that he has recused himself from all matters involving Nemeroff now and in the future, but expresses hope a revised rule will prevent transgressors from being able to win new grants.
“Conflict of interest is an area of concern where we at NIH can lead and, in this case my leadership - while following the regulation - was not in line with the standards I set for NIH…I will be even more diligent in carrying out my official duties going forward.”
jill bester
talk about a mea culpa.
SteveM
Just because Nemeroff may be eligible for NIH grants, doesn’t mean that he’s entitled to them.
Nobody’s putting a gun to the NIH honchos and saying, “Shovel money to Charley.”
If Nemeroff gets a governmental dime, it’s another nail in the coffin of medical ethics.
Biotruth
Steve M - I 100% agree. No more NIH funds for Nemoroff. Can we please reward NIH research funds to the researchers in the trenches who are deserving and ethically compliant?
As for the quote “conflict of interest is an area of concern where we at NIH can lead…..not in line with the **standards I set for NIH**”.. –The standards “I” (Insel) set? Good doctor, did you read them? If not, how about following traditional standards of ethics to begin with? Such major backpedaling is pathetic and denotes weak leadership. Yet Insel wakes up tomorrow and still has his NIMH directorship - yes?
elmore
Are the new standards the ones that let Nemeroff qualify? This is turning into Alice in Wonderland. “I may be the co-chair of panel developing the revised rules on conflict, which will permit him to get grants. But I don’t condone those rules and hope to see a revision so this doesn’t happen again (after assuring Florida that Nemeroff qualifies).
I don’t see how it could get worse than this.
Dianne
I’m sure Dr. Insel regrets his actions in recommending Dr. Nemeroff to the Univ. of Miami; and, since Dr. Insel has now “recused” himself from all things Nemeroff, it sounds like he also regrets their long and cozy relationship. But, I wonder, how did someone with so much contrition ever agree to “forming new conflict rules - which permit Nemeroff to apply for grants” at institutions other than Emory? Perhaps he could explain how that decision protects the public from an individual who capitalizes on selling snake oil?
The good news is, Dr. Insel hopes a revision of this rule will prevent future transgressors from obtaining grants. Luckily, it takes one to know one.
billmd
well, this solves nothing. the current leadership at NIH needs to go.
Smirnoff
Nemeroff is going to get fired from Miami U. and I’ll bet Pharmalot will be the 1st to report on it.
Hank
“I now recognize that my willingness to speak with a University of Miami official about Dr. Nemeroff’s eligibility for continued research funding from the NIH may have created the appearance of favoritism. In retrospect, I regret that my actions, although routine in the case of other recruitments, appear inappropriate for a federal research official given my past association with Dr. Nemeroff.”
Read this carefully. Insel isn’t apologizing.
He’s regretting we are offended by his “completely routine” actions.
What a creep.