Monthly Journalism Award.

David Willman "Stealth Merger" Los Angeles Times December 7, 2003

In a comprehensive, 12,00-word story that took a year to assemble, Los Angeles Times report David Willman examines the conflicts of interest of National Institutes of Health scientists. With increasing frequency, Willman's report, "Stealth Merger," found, these researchers charged with running the clinical trials to determine whether drugs are safe are also paid consultants of the pharmaceutical companies which produce the same drugs. Willman raises disturbing questions about whether deaths that happened during clinical trials run by these researchers might have been avoided, and the trials stopped earlier, if the scientists had not also been on the drug companies' payrolls.

The Monthly Journalism Award is presented each month to one more newspaper, magazine, radio, or television stories (or series of stores) that demonstrate a commitment to the public interest. We are particularly interested in reporting that explains the successes and failures of government agencies at all levels and of other institutions such as the media, corporations, unions, and foundations that contribute to the existence or solution of public problems. Please send nominations (including a copy of the article or broadcast text) to The Washington Monthly Journalism Award, 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20005. Or email us at [e-mail].