NIH updates regulations on conflict of interest

On 3 February, in response to Congressional inquiries and public hearings in the House and Senate about consulting activities of several NIH employees, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published an interim role with request for comments relating to outside activities, financial holdings, and awards for all NIH employees1.

According to a recent press release from the agency, “All NIH employees are prohibited from engaging in certain outside employment with:

“1) Substantially affected organizations, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;

“2) Supported research institutions, including NIH grantees;

“3) Health care providers and insurers; and

“4) Related trade, professional or similar associations2.”

NIH employees may not invest in organizations substantially affected by the NIH (e.g., biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries), and are required to file public and confidential financial disclosure reports. However, according to the NIH, they may continue “teaching courses at universities, writing general textbooks, performing scientific journal reviews, participating in scientific meetings and providing general lectures to physicians and scientists at continuing professional education and similar events, as well as practicing medicine as appropriate, provided that the activities are otherwise in accordance with existing law and adhere strictly to the conditions specified in the new rules2.”