Doctor promoting DIY cervical cancer tests has shares in test-making firm

DutchNews.nl, June 13, 2015

A VU University professor who was the ‘driving force’ behind changes in the cervical cancer check-up system has financial interests in the company producing the new test, the NRC said on Saturday. 

Clinical pathologist Chris Meijer failed to declare that he has shares in Delphi Bioscience which makes the equipment women can use to take a sample for testing, the paper said. 

The government has decided that from 2016, women will be able to opt to take a sample themselves and then send to a laboratory for analysis. 

The switch to the new system is based on advice from the national health council dating from 2011. Meijer was an advisor to the council at the time and failed to declare his interest, the NRC said. Nor did he inform the then-health minister Ab Klink. 

Council chairman Pim van Gool told the paper Meijer’s actions are ‘absolutely wrong’ and failed to meet council guidelines. 

Congresses

Documents also show Meijer has promoted the diy test at congresses but failed to inform the VU, the NRC said. The VU has also decided to investigate a potential conflict of interest in Meijer’s academic publications, the Telegraaf reported. 

The health ministry has also issued a statement saying it has asked the health council to launch a thorough investigation. 

Meijer officially retired in 2010 but still has a part-time position at the teaching hospital.

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