The Chief Executive of the General Medical Council (GMC) recently confirmed, in response to a recent BMJ article, that it “takes very seriously the issue of conflicts of interest”:

We know that in the course of a year, in the United Kingdom:

Currently, it is almost impossible to find out anything other than the overall figure.

NHS registers of interest are not functioning. Yet doctors are asked to sign this at annual Appraisal:All Appraisals are then scrutinised by senior NHS managers to be “signed off”:

The BMJ make this charge:

However should we be asking if our Royal Colleges are also failing?

For several years I have written to the Royal College of Psychiatrists about conflicts of interest. This post is based on the latest correspondence which was prompted by the recent announcement of this International Conference:

The Co-chairs give this welcome note:

It is almost certain that a significant proportion of the £40 million goes to: 

The Conference organisers have made it clear of the “exhibition opportunities” provided at this event:

What is less clear is whether the speakers or those involved in workshops or seminars have any conflicts of interest.

This is why I have written to:

My most recent letter to the above, copied to the Chief Executive of the GMC, asks for transparency ahead of the Conference in this important area: