Clinical studies in pediatrics. Where are financial conflicts of interest possible?

Clinical trials represent an important tool for a rational and scientifically valid drug therapy. Especially in the field of clinical trials, extensive interactions between industrial and academic research exist with respect to drug therapy. The goal of academic research should be to generate valid data, which represent the basis for the concept of evidence-based medicine. The pharmaceutical industry has to take into consideration economic factors so that one important motivation for clinical research is to bring new and innovative drugs on the market. Currently, the major part of clinical drug trials is financed by the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of the present paper was to identify potential conflicts of interest and to search for solution strategies. A conflict of interest could have special relevance in pediatrics as a result of the small populations available.