You may recall the real reason why Lester Crawford may have stepped down so suddenly from his post as FDA commissioner last year: A failure to disclose investments in companies regulated by that very same federal agency. The scams perpetrated on the federal level run deeper than that, according to reports the National Institutes of Health is slogging through the worst crisis in its existence.
Of 44 scientists who violated federal laws governing private consulting contracts with medical firms, only two are being investigated for criminal activity. In fact, one prominent Alzheimer's researcher being investigated who had been paid more than $600,000 in outside fees from Pfizer had even been recommended for a $15,000 retention bonus by the director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Unbelievable...
And what about the remainder of researchers probed by the NIH? Some received probation or a suspension, others quit before they could be punished while the rest received a harsh reprimand, leading House Energy and Commerce subcommittee chairman Rep. Edward Whitfield (R-Ky.) to call this the largest scandal in the existence of the NIH.
Do you need any more proof commerce is more important to civil servants whose salaries we pay than your health? Just more evidence you should be taking better responsibility for your health with the help of the free tools available on my Web site.
Los Angeles Times September 14, 2006
MSNBC September 12, 2006