NAMI received a letter from Senator Charles Grassley on April 6, 2009 requesting information about the support it receives from the pharmaceutical industry.  Senator Grassley has for the last three years been investigating various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.  NAMI shares Senator Grassley’s interest in transparency and is cooperating fully with this request.

 

NAMI accepts charitable contributions from corporations, including the pharmaceutical industry, for one purpose – to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their families.  These relationships are governed by NAMI’s Guidelines for Business Support Relationships, a NAMI policy that was approved by the board of directors.  This policy ensures that at all times NAMI will maintain an independent position on issues affecting the welfare of people with mental illness.   NAMI does not engage in product promotion, endorsement, licensure or certification of any product, service or program owned by a corporate sponsor.

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I want to note that, contrary to early reporting, NAMI did in fact respond to a media inquiry from Bloomberg.com regarding the Senator’s letter to NAMI late yesterday.   Unfortunately, the initial story published yesterday on the Bloomberg website contained inaccuracies.  We are working to correct these errors. 

 

NAMI looks forward to working with the Senator to provide all the information he has requested and supporting efforts aimed at creating greater transparency and accountability in our health care system.  If you have questions regarding this information, please contact me.

 

Thanks.  Mike Fitzpatrick

 

 

Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW

Executive Director

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300

Arlington, VA 2201

mfitzpatrick@nami.org

703-516-7977