NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell, Stupak Continue ‘Science for Sale’ Probe Request Consulting Firm Case Studies

Washington, DC – Reps. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Bart Stupak (D-MI), the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, today sent a letter to The Weinberg Group requesting the details of several case studies that were previously posted on the firm’s website. Of particular interest to the Members are case studies in which the DC based consultancy touts its successes in certain scientific and regulatory matters.

“These case studies that were trumpeted on The Weinberg Group’s website appear to take credit for keeping drugs with dangerous side effects on the market and for keeping in circulation other products that may be harmful to consumers,” Dingell said. “The Committee is interested to learn which firms and what products were involved in these case studies.”

In January, the Members announced an investigation into the use of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in products intended for use by infants and children. Concerns about The Weinberg Group’s tactics regarding work done on BPA, as well as other chemicals, prompted the Committee to expand their BPA investigation to include the firm.

The most recent letter points to 11 case studies that were previously posted on the firm’s website. While the case studies make sweeping claims about work performed for clients, they do not provide supporting details. In one example, the firm claims to have “combined epidemiological expertise with across-the-board strategic thinking” to lead a pharmaceutical company’s effort in their dispute with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over “life threatening adverse events that were occurring with one of the company’s drugs.” Another case study entitled “Hair Color and Health Risk” deals with an unspecified manufacturer that retained The Weinberg Group regarding an unspecified, yet potentially carcinogenic, chemical in their product. The firm claims to have “developed a defensible message debunking this concern.”

“These case studies appear to suggest that the Weinberg Group’s work has included clients whose products may have endangered consumers, but the company boasts about keeping these products on the market,” said Stupak. “The Subcommittee intends to investigate thoroughly the details of these case studies and the work performed by the Weinberg Group on behalf of their clients.”

Some scientists have raised concerns that Bisphenol A could contribute to diabetes, cancer and obesity.

Letters and other information on the investigation »

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