Margaret Munro, science writer with the National Post, was the recipient of the 2003 Michener-Deacon Fellowship to explore the uneasy alliance between Canadian universities and drug companies. The Fellowship was presented to her by Governor General Clarkson during the 2002 Michener Award ceremony held at Rideau Hall.
Ms. Munro used the Fellowship and four months’ study leave to examine the potential conflicts of interest and ethical challenges arising from the pharmaceutical industry’s funding of medical research.
The industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year, most channelled through doctor and academics who recruit volunteers for clinical trials. Ms. Munro interviewed doctors, academics, and volunteers culminating in a series of articles published in CanWest Newspapers across the country in February of 2004.
Here is her report: Drugs, Money, and Ethics
Ms Munro has 25 years experience as a science writer. She is the recipient of many awards and citations for science writing from, among others, the Jack Webster Foundation and the Canadian Science Writers’ Association. Born and raised in Pine Falls, Manitoba, Ms Munro graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba. She now lives and works in Vancouver.
The 2003 Fellowship was presented to Ms Munro by Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, at the Michener Award ceremonial dinner which was held at Rideau Hall on Thursday, April 10, 2003.
The judges for the 2003 Michener-Deacon Fellowship:
Clinton Archibald, associate professor of public policy and management, Faculty of Administration, University of Ottawa; Lindsay Crysler, adjunct faculty member, school of journalism, University of King’s College, Halifax; former managing editor The Gazette, Montreal; former director, journalism department, Concordia University, Montreal; Claire Helman, former film-maker, National Film Board; former public affairs broadcaster, CBC Radio; former lecturer in communications at a Japanese University; Jodi White (chair of the panel), former producer, CBC Radio; Chief Operations Officer, Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Ottawa.
The Michener-Deacon fellowship is awarded annually to a deserving recipient and helps to advance education in the field of journalism and serves the public interest through the promotion of values that benefit the community.