Cervical cancer study funding on hold after conflict of interest claim

Minister Edith Schippers of Pubic Health has put the funding for the new cervical cancer screening program on hold indefinitely. This follows accusations that one of the professors involved had neglected to mention conflicts of interest. The National Institute for Public Health and Environment, the RIVM, planned to announce which company would deliver the tests for this screening on Tuesday. But a spokesperson for Schippers told NRC that the minister first wants to get all the facts straight before going any further. Earlier this week it came to light that Professor Chris Meijer of the VU Medical Center, a driving force behind the new screening program, concealed the fact that he has shares in two companies that make the products for the cervical cancer screening.