Conflict

Recently, our managers are striving to control the drug budget. Every team is requested to submit an innovative idea to reduce expenditure.

At lunch, AT complained that even an inexpensive drug was tightly controlled although current guidelines had already recommended the most expensive agent as first-line treatment.

“Mind you,” S replied, “most guidelines are written by international experts with much conflict of interest. Not surprisingly, companies selling the newest and most expensive drugs have a lot of influence.”

“You don’t have conflict of interest. You should sit in those panels,” EW suggested.

“Oh, it doesn’t work this way,” said S. “In their eyes, the very fact that I do not have conflict of interest is good enough proof that I am not an expert.”