University launches ethics probe into Red Bull professor’s work

Utrecht University has begun an investigation into its pharmacology department after a professor was accused of not declaring payments for research from companies, including energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull.

Joris Verster published several papers on energy drinks and alcohol in his capacity as associate professor, without disclosing that he was also paid as a consultant for Red Bull and US-based Sen-Jam Pharmaceuticals.

The university does not prohibit consultancy work, but academics are required to disclose any relevant secondary activities when they publish papers under conflict of interest rules.

The investigation follows reports in several Dutch and international media outlets, including Trouw, De Groene Amsterdammer and Investico, that Verster’s research was published without any reference to his paid work for Red Bull and Sen-Jam.

Verster set up a private company, NeuroClinics, for his consultancy work, which frequently overlapped with his academic research.

Hangover pill

He carried out a study into a hangover pill produced by Sen-Jam which concluded, based on a questionnaire circulated around his students, that the medicine did not encourage people to consume more alcohol.

Mariëtte van den Hoven, professor of medical ethics at Amsterdam’s UMC medical centre, said Verster’s methods amounted to a conflict of interest “by using the university to promote your personal goals.”

Another study, published in 2010, concluded that drinking a can of Red Bull improved driving performance, based on observing drivers for four hours in a simulator. It was publicised under the heading “Can Red Bull fuel better driving?”

Verster also published research that disputed claims that mixing energy drinks with alcohol were damaging to people’s health and could lead to aggressive behaviour or unsafe sexual practices.

His conclusion was that combining the drinks meant users consumed less alcohol and were less prone to reckless behaviour.

Sick leave

Verster himself, who has been on sick leave since the start of May, told Trouw he had always been transparent about his private work.

“I have been a consultant for many companies and stated it in all my papers, even when it concerned a minor role,” he said. “I informed Utrecht University about my work as a consultant and the university approved it.”