Utrecht University delays sex drug research due to conflict of interest

DutchNews.nl, Tuesday 09 September 2014

(NOS/ANP Xtra)

Utrecht University has delayed the publication of doctoral research into two  drugs to stimulate sexual desire in women because two members of the jury advise the company which makes the medicine.

The research was carried out by a member of the board at Almere pharmaceuticals firm Emotional Brain which produces the drugs. Now it transpires two members of the jury who will judge the research give scientific advice to the company.

The presentation has now been suspended and a new jury is being appointed, according to television current affairs programme Zembla. The job of the academic jury is to quiz the doctoral candidate on his research and ensure it meets proper standards.

‘The bottom line is that five of the eight people involved in this process have direct links to the company,’ Ruud Coolen van Brakel of the institute for responsible medicine usage told the programme. ‘These people may be neutral and have integrity but this is not how it should be done.’

The company itself declined to comment, Zembla said.

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