The Importance of Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Key Points:

  • Dr. Sprintz weighs in on the latest news of the opioid crisis.
  • McKinsey & Company under fire for conflict of interest with Purdue Pharma and FDA.
  • Disclosure, honesty, and transparency are among the top traits in ethical business.

Possibly one of the hottest topics in the pain and addiction management industry is the opioid crisis, where healthcare providers began prescribing opioids at greater rates in the 1990s with the belief that the product was not addictive. What soon ensued are millions of people who have died, misused, and become addicted to opioids. Now, big pharma companies and those associated are under fire for their work in allegedly covering up the addictive component.

As a subject matter expert in the topic, Founder and CEO of the Sprintz Center for Pain and Recovery, Dr. Michael Sprintz, broke down the latest New York Times article on the consulting group McKinsey & Company’s conflict of interest when working with Purdue Pharma, an opioid manufacturer, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While working with these two organizations can be a conflict of interest, the disclosure (or lack thereof) piece is what Dr. Sprintz believes got them in trouble. With Dr. Sprintz working on the FDA advisory committee for analgesic and anesthetic drug products, he is very well-versed in how transparency is a top concern. In fact, before every meeting, the group reveals who they have done business with, and if someone has a conflict of interest, they recuse themselves from the discussion and voting to ensure there is zero impartiality.

So, what’s the real issue here? According to Dr. Sprintz, McKinsey’s employees who consulted Purdue Pharma also advised the FDA on relating regulatory and policy issues, and none of this was disclosed.

This has a deeper issue than what’s on the surface, because it could be a good thing to have someone seeing both sides of the aisle — if done correctly, of course. “It reminds us about the importance of being direct and being open,” explained Dr. Sprintz.

By being honest, the FDA could make the determining factor of what’s acceptable in the relationship, and what’s not. “It’s about honest communication and transparency, and if you have those, you can work through a lot of potential issues and potential conflicts.”

To connect with Dr. Sprintz, email him at michael@drsprintz.com or visit his website.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Human Intelligence
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey
May 12, 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper…

Read More
future of remote work
Productivity, Happiness and the Future of Remote Work with Steven Puri
May 12, 2025

Remote work is no longer an experiment, it is a daily reality for millions. Yet, as teams seek focus and fulfillment outside the traditional office, the challenges of productivity and isolation have intensified. Studies show that nearly 70 percent of remote workers struggle with burnout and distractions. Amid this tension, platforms that blend emotional well-being…

Read More
battery safety
EV Battery Safety Can Be Solved Through Smarter Training, Early Collaboration, and Shared Standards
May 12, 2025

Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the mobility landscape, but concerns about battery safety continue to cloud consumer confidence. Despite media narratives, data confirms that EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. A study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that EVs are 20 times less likely to ignite than petrol…

Read More
Smart HVAC Strategies for Large Commercial Properties
Smart HVAC Strategies for Large Commercial Properties
May 12, 2025

In the latest episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis welcomes Colin Trudo, Senior Director of Training and Marketing at BMS CAT, to dive into the often‑overlooked world of HVAC maintenance and its critical intersection with disaster restoration. With over 20 years of field experience—from air‑duct cleaning to large‑scale catastrophe response—Colin brings a…

Read More