Regardless of these threats, Dr Olivieri went ahead to inform all subjects after consulting the hospital’s research ethics board, who agreed that she had an obligation to do so. She also published her findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. (11)
Institutional conflicts of interests
In the ensuing years of stressful dispute with Apotec, Dr Olivieri was defended by many within the scientific and ethics community. Her supporters, amongst them distinguished scientists, agreed that what she did was ethically right, and that she should have the freedom to publish her findings so that others could justify their validity. (7,8)
However, unexpectedly little support was shown to Dr Olivieri from her hospital. In fact, in 1999, Dr Olivieri was demoted from her position as the hospital’s blood disorders programme director. The hospital also referred her to the College of Physicians for investigations into her conduct. Colleagues who supported her were prohibited from voicing their concerns publically.
It was found that, at the time, the University of Toronto was negotiating a $30 million donation from Apotec to fund a new biomedical research building. As a fully affiliated teaching hospital of the university, Sick Kids was also expected to benefit from part of this donation.
Case resolved
The actions of the hospital against Dr Olivieri were felt by many to be unfair.
The University of Toronto and others in the academia quickly stepped in to mediate an agreement between the hospital and Dr Olivieri. As a result, the hospital reinstated Dr Olivieri’s position, acknowledged her right to academic freedom and agreed to cover all expenses in the event of any legal action from Apotec. Apotec and Dr Olivieri had already agreed not to sue each other. (10)
Besides, disciplinary actions were taken by the hospital against Dr Koren, a research partner of Dr Olivieri. Dr Koren had continued to receive considerable research funding from Apotec after Dr Olivieri’s studies were terminated. He was found guilty of misconduct for writing anonymous letters to the media to degrade Dr Olivieri and her core supporters.
Inquiry by the College of Physicians cleared Dr Olivieri of all allegations of unprofessional conduct.
Apotec eventually made a smaller donation to the university.
Olivieri NF, Brittenham GM, McLaren CE, Templeton DM, Cameron RG, McClelland RA, et al. Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Iron-Chelation Therapy with Deferiprone for Thalassemia Major. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998 Aug 13;339(7):417–23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199808133390701
Nathan DG, Weatherall DJ. Academic Freedom in Clinical Research. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002 Oct 24;347(17):1368–71. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsb020394
Schafer A. Biomedical conflicts of interest: a defence of the sequestration thesis-learning from the cases of Nancy Olivieri and David Healy. J Med Ethics. 2004 Feb;30(1):8–24. Available from: https://jme.bmj.com/content/30/1/8
Patricia Chisholm. Olivieri Medical Dispute Settled | The Canadian Encyclopedia [Internet]. The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2003 [cited 2019 Mar 4]. Available from: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/olivieri-medical-dispute-settled