Correspondence

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin and Conflict of Interest

N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1644November 26, 1998

Article

Editor's note:

We have received inquiries about possible financial conflicts of interest with respect to an article published in the Journal five years ago, “Prophylactic Administration of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin to High-Risk Infants and Young Children,” by Groothuis et al. (Nov. 18, 1993;329:1524-30). We asked Dr. Groothuis, the corresponding author, to clarify whether any authors had conflicts of interest at the time this study was done. We also asked for clarification from Dr. George Siber, a coauthor, who has been reported to have a patent interest in the product that was studied.1 We are certain we did not receive disclosure of any financial conflict of interest when the article was submitted, but that cannot be verified, since we no longer have the original file. Dr. Groothuis's response to our request follows. Dr. Siber declined to respond for publication.

1 References

1. 1

   Dispute between state, scientists over medical research goes to court. Boston Globe. August 28, 1998:B3.
   

To the Editor:

This letter concerns the question of conflicts of interest involving the authors of “Prophylactic Administration of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin to High-Risk Infants and Young Children.” The manuscript, of which I was the lead author, was first submitted to the Journal in March 1993. At the time of submission, I had no financial interest in this study nor in the product studied, respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin. At the time the manuscript was submitted, to the best of my knowledge, no author indicated any financial interest related to the study. Dr. George Siber did not indicate to me that he had a conflicting financial interest.

Jessie R. Groothuis, M.D.
Dublin, OH 43017