Emory U. Penalizes Another Psychiatrist With Hidden Financial Conflicts of Interest

Emory University has yet another case of a psychiatrist with hidden financial conflicts of interest involving the pharmaceutical industry.

The university’s medical-school dean, Thomas J. Lawley, issued a letter of reprimand to Zachary N. Stowe, a professor of psychiatry, after learning that Dr. Stowe was being paid by GlaxoSmithKline, a manufacturer of antidepressants, at the same time Dr. Stowe was conducting a federally backed study of the use of the drugs in pregnant women, The Wall Street Journal reported today.

The case followed the resignation last year of Charles B. Nemeroff as chairman of Emory’s psychiatry department after Dr. Nemeroff failed to report more than $800,000 he received from Glaxo over a seven-year period.

Emory’s School of Medicine last week issued another updated policy on financial conflicts of interest. The new policy bans Emory faculty and staff members, students, and trainees from receiving any industry compensation for speaking engagements; prohibits any receipt of gifts; allows industry representatives to enter Emory facilities for “necessary interactions” only; and further restricts the involvement of Emory faculty members in start-up companies. —Paul Basken