contribution by Ben Six

A few months ago, the charity Atlantic Bridge was found guilty by the charity commission of being too party political.

It’s worth noting that in May 2003, Liam Fox, then Shadow Secretary for Health, put on a conference organised by his Atlantic Bridge think-tank.

Titled “Scientific Research and Medical Provision”, it featured a representative from Pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline who, possibly embittered by their most recent court case, spoke out on “threats to development” (“regulation” and “militant activists”).

A delegate from Pfizer condemned Britain’s supposed “anti-innovation culture” while a critic of government-controlled medicine asked “[whether] the…UK health care model [was] sustainable”.

The agenda of the conference seems pretty obvious.

What’s less clear is whether the opinion-shapers in attendance – including figures from the Times, the Economist, the BBC and others – knew their host accepted sponsorship from Pfizer themselves.

Fox’s register of interests shows that he received significant backing in June 2003, so the only other chance is that it represented a “thank-you” present.

His Register of Interest states:

A researcher based in my office works exclusively for the Atlantic Bridge, a UK-American think-tank of which I am a founder member. In this role she receives funding from Pfizer Inc. She has no function in any health role. (Registered 13 June 2003)

Note, it doesn’t point out that Atlantic Bridge was also a charity.

At a time when they were being charged for testing risky drugs on helpless Nigerian kids, funding anti-regulatory promotion takes some balls.

As for Mr Fox, who chaired this smooth propagandistic meet-up, what else can one expect from the man who said he “do[es]n’t think we support our defence industry enough” at an event sponsored by the folks at BAE.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

   Flashback: when Liam Fox accepted support from Big Pharma http://bit.ly/aGzhVc

2. Brian Moylan

   RT @libcon: Flashback: when Liam Fox accepted support from Big Pharma http://bit.ly/aGzhVc #atlanticbridge #liamfox #labour

3. Charity

   Flashback: when Liam Fox accepted support from Big Pharma …: UK health care model [was] sustainable”. The agenda… http://bit.ly/9jivZ4

4. Pucci Dellanno

   RT @libcon: Flashback: when Liam Fox accepted support from Big Pharma http://bit.ly/aGzhVc

5. Liam Fox

   RT @libcon: Flashback: when Liam Fox accepted support from Big Pharma http://bit.ly/aGzhVc