Pfizer’s Kerins Defends Company’s Seminar Sponsorship

This October, the National Press Foundation is hosting a four-day seminar in Washington D.C. titled “Cancer Issues 2010.” According to the NPR Health blog Shots, 15 reporters will also be taking an all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital to attend the conference, care of drug company Pfizer.

Heath journalism blogger Gary Schwitzer questions whether these reporters can be fair in their coverage when they’re attending the event on Pfizer’s dime.

Ray Kerins, Pfizer’s VP of comms, says their participation is fully disclosed and meant to improve coverage of the topic.

“We can complain about journalists not understanding the scientific research, or we can be part of the solution,” he told NPR’s reporter.

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