Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. The issue surrounds the raising of a conflict of interest. What I can say is that I understand that there are concerns in the media regarding conflicts of interest for members of the ADHD guideline development working party. The Minister for Health and Ageing advises that the current chair of the working party is Associate Professor David Forbes. Professor Forbes is a highly regarded paediatrician in the area of gastroenterology. His area of clinical practice and research is not associated with ADHD in any way, but he is very familiar with the NHMRC guideline review process.

Professor Forbes has declared that he has no pecuniary or professional interest in any companies involved in the development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of, or education about, drugs. In addition to the NHMRC recommended processes, the RACP have a rigorous process for the declaration of conflict or duality of interest for work that is in any way related to pharmaceuticals or their associated companies. This ensured that any potential conflicts were known by the RACP and all members of the working party.

In accordance with the NHMRC policies, a summary of the declarations of interest provided by each working-party member will be included in the guidelines once they have been finalised and approved by the NHMRC. The minister has been advised that the conflicts of interest declared by working-party members are consistent with the normal range associated with clinician review committees of this nature. These include private practice work relating to the diagnosis and management of ADHD, and the publication of booklets. (Time expired)