In this New York Times article on the correlation between high levels of CRP and heart disease, the following five disclosures (listed in the order in which they appeared in the article) were made about the doctors quoted.

  • Dr. Rader consults for and receives honorariums from the drug companies that make statins.
  • Dr. Ridker is an inventor of a test for CRP and profits from its use.
  • Dr. Jialal is on advisory boards for Merck, which made Vioxx, and Pfizer, which makes Celebrex.
  • Dr. Nissen has consulted for, received honorariums from, and done studies supported by drug companies, including the makers of statins. He is paid a salary and donates the honorariums to a charity he established at the American College of Cardiology.
  • He (Dr. Cleeman) does not receive support or honorariums from any drug companies.

It almost looks like the doctors are ranked from the least to the most virtuous.