Claimed conflicts--Blumenthal

Here's an article from UPI:

Notice this statement:

"The IDSA's 2006 Lyme disease guideline panel undercut its credibility
by allowing individuals with financial interests -- in drug companies,
Lyme disease diagnostic tests, patents and consulting arrangements
with insurance companies -- to exclude divergent medical evidence and
opinion," he said in a statement.

BUT...that characterization of "undercut its credibility" does not
mean legal conflict.

For that, Blumenthal would ahve to have shown a direct connection
between the alleged "conflict" and the actions of the IDSA Guidelines
panel.

AND...interests held in "drug companies"...for cryin'in ot loud...IF
they were voting their wallets there...

....they probvably would advocate FOR longterm antibiotic use, WOULDN'T
THEY?

How STUPID is this?
=========================================================================



Panel to reassess Lyme Disease guidelines


Published: May 2, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Print story Email to a friend Font size:HARTFORD, Conn., May 2 (UPI)
-- An antitrust investigation revealed serious flaws in the way Lyme
disease guidelines were set, Connecticut Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal said the influential Infectious Diseases Society of America
has agreed to reassess its 2006 Lyme disease guidelines with the help
of an outside arbiter. The IDSA guidelines are often used by insurance
companies in restricting coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment
or other medical care, Blumenthal said Thursday.

"The IDSA's 2006 Lyme disease guideline panel undercut its credibility
by allowing individuals with financial interests -- in drug companies,
Lyme disease diagnostic tests, patents and consulting arrangements
with insurance companies -- to exclude divergent medical evidence and
opinion," he said in a statement.

The IDSA's guidelines say Lyme disease can be treated in most cases
with a 30-day course of oral antibiotics. Critics said Lyme disease is
difficult to diagnose, can persist for years and requires treatment
with antibiotics for six months or longer, the Hartford Courant said.

.