It Is Not Enough to Assess Conflicts of Interest When We Bring the Commercial Sector to the Policy Table Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool".

Elisa Chilet-Rosell,Ildefonso Hernández-Aguado

doi:10.34172/ijhpm.2021.148

Abstract

Ralston et al offer us an interesting analysis of the consultation process of World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) "Draft approach on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests in the policy development and implementation of nutrition programs at country level," in which it shows us how the industry tries to frame the discussion in individual conflicts of interest, avoiding structural conflicts of interest. We must not forget other issues of importance in policy-making, such as the imbalance of power between different actors and the strategies of undue influence used by food and beverage corporations. It is essential to develop regulatory-based tools and procedures that embody ethics and good governance and that can be applied systematically and routinely to prevent corporate influence in health policy-making. A global observatory of corporate practices would also be needed to recommend to governments efficient actions to avoid corporate capture of their policies.

Highlights

The article by Ralston et al[1] carries out an interesting analysis on how different actors conceptualize conflicts of interest, based on 44 responses to the online consultation process of the “Draft approach on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests in the policy development and implementation of nutrition programs at country level”.[2]
Strategies of Undue Influence in the Policy-Making Process In the World Health Organization (WHO) tool consultation process, the collaboration and partnership frame, which was mainly proposed by nutrition sector entities, claimed that it cannot be compared to the tobacco industry
The WHO tool is useful for evaluating potential conflicts of interest that can guide decision-making and help to identify specific actors and forms of engagement in situations where conflict of interest can be managed to protect public health goals

Summary

Introduction

The article by Ralston et al[1] carries out an interesting analysis on how different actors conceptualize conflicts of interest, based on 44 responses to the online consultation process of the “Draft approach on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests in the policy development and implementation of nutrition programs at country level” (hereafter WHO tool).[2]. Introduction The article by Ralston et al[1] carries out an interesting analysis on how different actors conceptualize conflicts of interest, based on 44 responses to the online consultation process of the “Draft approach on the prevention and management of conflicts of interests in the policy development and implementation of nutrition programs at country level” (hereafter WHO tool).[2] The fact that numerous commercial sector entities have participated in the consultation process points to the importance of this tool (14 commercial actors, 12 from non-governmental organizations [NGOs], 8 from academic institutions and 6 from Member states).

Results

Conclusion