In Europe, there were rumblings of discontent about how the World Health Organization (WHO) was handling the pandemic early on.

Concerns were raised about the speed with which the pandemic was declared. This was the first pandemic in 40 years. This was the first Internet pandemic—one in which rapid reporting was thought to be a help in tracking outbreaks and declines in reported cases

Many also wondered about whether WHO was being influenced by paid consultants to drug companies.

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) conducted its own investigation.

“Key scientists advising the World Health Organization on planning for an influenza pandemic had done paid work for pharmaceutical firms that stood to gain from the guidance they were preparing. These conflicts of interest have never been publicly disclosed by WHO, and WHO has dismissed inquiries into its handling of the A/H1N1 pandemic as “conspiracy theories.”

The problem is not in having advisers to WHO who also advise drug companies—this is a small pool of experts to draw from.

WHO’s failure to publicly disclose these conflicts of interest is one huge problem. A lack of transparency in the leading health organization in the world is a credibility problem of indescribable proportions.

However, WHO’s spokesman challenged any suggestions that the agency acted in any way other than the best interests of the public. The agency’s dismissal of allegations as “conspiracy theories” is not going to serve anyone, starting with WHO itself.

The truth needs to be faced. The sooner, the better. WHO’s reputation is on the line.

The whole world followed its lead.

The Washington Post

“European criticism of the World Health Organization’s handling of the H1N1 pandemic intensified Friday with the release of two reports that accused the agency of exaggerating the threat posed by the virus and failing to disclose possible influence by the pharmaceutical industry on its recommendations for how countries should respond. (Emphasis added)

“The WHO’s response caused widespread, unnecessary fear and prompted countries around the world to waste millions of dollars, according to one report. At the same time, the Geneva-based arm of the United Nations relied on advice from experts with ties to drug makers in developing the guidelines it used to encourage countries to stockpile millions of doses of antiviral medications, according to the second report. (Emphasis added)

“The reports outlined the drumbeat of criticism that has arisen, primarily in Europe, of how the world’s leading health organization responded to the first influenza pandemic in more than four decades. (Emphasis added)

Source: Washington Post, June 6, 2010

Source: Report from the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Citation: BMJ 2010;340:c2912  Investigation and Editorial