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I am greatly concerned at Procter and Gamble's refusal to provide Aubrey Blumsohn with access to raw research data and the lack of support offered to Blumsohn by Sheffield University.

All major medical journals, various academic and professional organisations, the World Health Organisation and many commentators have expressed concern about the lack of transparency in industry-supported research and have emphasised the need to move towards mandatory registration of all clinical trials, towards closer scrutiny of industry-sponsored research and towards a better protection of academic integrity. It is extremely troubling then that a university hides behind procedure and refuses to take a strong and principled stance in support of a researcher who demands full accessto research data. The international academic community will keep a close watch on how this dispute unfolds.

Nothing less than a full academic inquiry into all aspects of this case will restore public trust.

Trudo Lemmens

University of Toronto