President Biden's nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, is facing allegations from a conservative group regarding her ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
The American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a right-leaning watchdog group, has released a report highlighting Bertagnolli's history with the industry and raising concerns about her ability to lead the NIH without being influenced by special interests.
According to the report, research associated with Bertagnolli has received over $350 million in funding from pharmaceutical companies throughout her career. The AAF argues that these financial ties raise questions about her independence and ability to prioritize the interests of the American people over those of Big Pharma.
Bertagnolli, who currently serves as the head of the NIH's National Cancer Institute, was nominated by President Biden in May. She is an award-winning surgical oncologist and a breast cancer patient herself. If confirmed by the Senate, she would become just the second woman to lead the NIH.
The AAF's evaluation of disclosure data revealed that in 2022 alone, research associated with Bertagnolli received approximately $59 million in funding from companies such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. However, a White House official dismissed the concerns raised by the AAF, stating that the $350 million figure largely refers to grants awarded to a non-profit organization that Bertagnolli ran. The official emphasized that funding for large clinical trials, like those conducted by the non-profit, often comes from various sources, including companies participating in the trials.
It is not uncommon for health officials to be associated with research that receives funding from pharmaceutical companies. For example, former Food and Drug Administration Director Scott Gottlieb's associated research received nearly $1.3 million throughout his career. While the funds did not go directly to Bertagnolli, the AAF argues that she likely benefited indirectly from the support attracted by her research.
The report also highlights Bertagnolli's involvement with Natera, Inc., a diagnostics firm, and Leap Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm. She served on the board of directors for both companies before becoming the head of the NCI. In 2022, she received $26,425 in cash from Natera and stock valued at $291,131. At Leap Therapeutics, she received $32,813 in cash and $72,841 in stock options.
The AAF contends that Bertagnolli's career has been bankrolled by Big Pharma, and they raise concerns about her ability to lead the NIH independently. They argue that after the corruption and misinformation that emerged from government medical agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial for the American people to have confidence that the NIH will be led by honest individuals who prioritize their interests over those of massive corporations.
Another point of contention raised by the AAF is Bertagnolli's opposition to the Trump administration's "Most Favored Nation" proposal. This proposal aimed to limit Medicare payments for certain drugs to no more than what other developed countries pay. Bertagnolli, while serving as the board chair of the Association of Clinical Oncology, expressed concerns that this approach would limit access to life-saving cancer treatments for Medicare beneficiaries.
In his nomination announcement, President Biden praised Bertagnolli as a "world-class physician-scientist" and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the NIH and drive innovation to improve the health of the American people.
The allegations raised by the AAF against Dr. Monica Bertagnolli highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medical institutions and the need for transparency and independence in leadership roles.
yAs her nomination awaits Senate confirmation, the scrutiny surrounding her financial ties and policy positions will likely continue to be a topic of discussion.
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