Influence of conflicts of interest on public positions in the COVID-19 era, the case of Gilead Sciences
Roussel et al.,
Influence of conflicts of interest on public positions in the COVID-19 era, the case of Gilead Sciences,
New Microbes and New Infections, Volume 38, doi:10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100710
Shows a correlation (Spearman test, p = 0.017) between the amount received from Gilead Sciences and public opposition to the use of HCQ in France.
Roussel et al., 6 Jun 2020, peer-reviewed, 2 authors.
Abstract: ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Influence of conflicts of interest on public positions in the COVID-19 era,
the case of Gilead Sciences
Y. Roussel1,2 and D. Raoult1,2
1) Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection and 2) Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance PubliqueHôpitaux de Marseille, Evolution Phylogénie et Infections (MEPHI), Marseille, France
Abstract
Funding and gifts from the pharmaceutical industry have an influence on the decisions made by physicians and medical experts. In the context
of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, several treatments are available to treat patients infected with the virus. Some are protected by
patents, such as remdesivir, others0020stare not, such as hydroxychloroquine. We wanted to observe the possible correlation between the
fact, for an academic doctor in infectious diseases, of having benefited from funding by Gilead Sciences, producer of remdesivir, and the public
positions taken by this doctor towards hydroxychloroquine. Our results show a correlation (Spearman test, p = 0.017) between the amount
received from the Gilead Sciences company and public opposition to the use of hydroxychloroquine in France. This should open up the
debate on the role of the interest links of doctors with pharmaceutical companies in the medical and scientific public debate.
© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords: Conflicts of interest, COVID1-19, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, SARS-COV-2
Original Submission: 6 May 2020; Revised Submission: 14 May 2020; Accepted: 4 June 2020
Article published online: 6 June 2020
Corresponding author. D. Raoult, IHU Méditerranée Infection,
Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Boulevard Jean
Moulin, 13385, Marseille, CEDEX 5, France.
E-mail: didier.raoult@gmail.com
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