Congress launches probe of NIH conflicts policies

A group of congressional leaders in Washington has launched a probe into the financial ties of a senior NIH scientist, Dr. Thomas J. Walsh, to several drug companies. They will determine if the NIH has a sufficiently effective policy in place to unveil potential conflicts on its staff. Dr. Walsh has conducted trials of the companies' therapies designed to treat fungal infections among patients with a compromised immune system. The lawmakers decided to launch their probe after The Los Angeles Times unveiled his financial ties to Pfizer and Merck and his appearances with company representatives before the FDA.

- here's the article on the NIH from The Los Angeles Times