Table 1.

Applying this framework: a few examples from academic medicine

Examples	Shared primary interests?	Divergence and required regulations?	Applicability?	Disclosure?
Research on passive smoking with tobacco industry funding	No Although this industry might assert an aim of finding out the truth, they have no interest that this truth be known	→ Fails at step one
Phase III clinical trial run by an academic hospital with pharmaceutical funding	Yes Knowing efficacy and risks of a new drug	Yes Regulations often identifiable	Usually, yes Will depend on the context Independent review by IRBs	Yes At publication as part of the methods
Pharmaceutical representatives to help physicians keep up with new information	No If primary interest of the industry is to improve financial margins	→ Fails at step one
	Yes If primary interest of the industry is to improve patient access to beneficial drugs	Yes Regulations often identifiable	No Unclear threshold involved, independent review not applicable	→ Fails at step three
Pharmaceutical industry funding of continuing education	No If primary interest of the industry is to improve financial margins	→ Fails at step one
	Yes If primary interest of the industry is keeping physicians knowledgeable of recent innovation	Yes Regulations often identifiable	Usually, yes Will depend on the context	Yes During educational intervention, as part of the methods
Clinical investigator whose spouse holds shares in the company	Yes Strictly speaking, there is no partnership involved in the decision that could be affected	Will depend crucially on the sort of decision that is contemplated

IRBs, independent review boards.