Petrelis Files

Subj: Your query about David Ho's financial ties
Date: 3/11/2005 12:15:09 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: gyamey@plos.org
To: mpetrelis@aol.com
CC: vbarbour@plos.org, pocampo@plos.org
Sent from the Internet (Details)


Dear Michael,

Many thanks indeed for your call about this issue, which we are looking into, and which we are also discussing at our next editorial meeting. I'll keep you informed.

Incidentally, the issue of competing interests is one that we're taking seriously at PLoS Medicine. In fact, we're in the process of establishing an external, advisory group on competing interests (that includes a lay member). We will ask the group to help guide us on our policies, and we will also ask them about individual cases that arise.

As you know, we do ask all authors to look at our competing interests policy and ask them to declare ties that may be important for that particular article. We will certainly ask the advisory group to look at our policy.

Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.

Best wishes,

Gavin Yamey
Magazine Editor