About this resource

    Type of resources
    Reading
    Education level(s)
    College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education
    Primary user(s)
    Teacher, Administrator, Librarian, Journal Editors
    Subject area(s)
    Life Science, Physical Science, Social Science
    Language(s)
    English
    Cluster
    Academic Structures and Institutions, Ways of Working
    Last updated
    9 November 2026
    Reading

    Medical Product Industry Ties to Patient Advocacy Organizations’ Executive Leadership

    By Shamik Bhat, Joseph S. Ross, Reshma Ramachandran

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    Level College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education · For Teacher, Administrator, Librarian, Journal Editors · Language English

    Abstract

    Patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) advance patient interests through promotion of disease awareness, engagement with policymakers, and partnership with medical product manufacturers in research and development.1 However, there are concerns that, in addition to industry financial support—which nearly half of PAOs accept2—having individuals formerly or currently based in industry serve on PAOs’ boards of directors and as senior leadership may influence PAOs’ priorities, advocacy, and recommendations.3 We identified the 50 highest-revenue US-based PAOs and examined whether their senior leadership had been or were currently employed by the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

    Keywords Transparency · Conflicts of Interest · Patient Advocacy Organizations · Industry