Here we go again. Secret industry ties on a science panel for cholesterol guidelines: They led influential medical groups, starred at prestigious meetings, published in top journals and were undisputed giants in their field. But when these famous doctors advised the government recently on new cholesterol guidelines for the public, something else they had in common wasn't revealed. Eight of the nine were making money from the very companies whose cholesterol-lowering drugs they were urging upon millions more Americans. Two own stock in them. Two others went to work for drug companies shortly after working on the guidelines. Another was a senior government scientist who moonlights for 10 companies and even serves on one of their boards. . . . [The controversy] comes as some of these companies lobby the government to let drugs at the center of this controversy — statins such as Lipitor and Zocor — be sold over the counter. Prominent doctors with ties to statin makers are urging approval. --from Marilynn Marchione, " Groups Question Doctors' Ties to Drug Firms: Federal cholesterol guidelines promoted by physicians paid by private companies prompt conflict concerns," A.P., Oct. 17, 2004.