To the Editor: Scott and Guyatt are absolutely correct that as much transparency as possible is required in the process by which any clinical guidelines are formulated.1 I also agree that this must include careful management of conflicts of interest, particularly in the selection of the members of the expert panels required to formulate guidelines and in the functioning of those panels.1
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- 1. Scott IA, Guyatt GH. Clinical practice guidelines: the need for greater transparency in formulating recommendations. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 29-33. <eMJA full text> <MJA full text>
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Robert Moulds is the medical advisor (part-time) to Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, an independent, not-for-profit company that publishes clinical practice guidelines for use in Australian health care institutions and general practices.