Lipid concentrations and the use of lipid lowering drugs: evidence from a national cross sectional survey

Because of an error on the part of the BMJ, the authors (Paola Primatesta and Neil R Poulter) of this paper (25 November, pp 1322-5) were said to have no competing interests, whereas in fact Professor Poulter has received funds from several pharmaceutical companies to attend symposiums, speak, organise education, consult, and support research and members of staff. Professor Poulter ticked our form to say that he had received this support but then ticked the box to say that he had no competing interests. Our form did not make sufficiently clear that we regard receiving funds for these reasons as being a competing interest. We failed to pick up on the inconsistency in Professor Poulter's form, and we apologise to him for that. We have amended the form, which is on our website at bmj.com/cgi/content/full/317/7154/291/DC1#aut