Statement From Michael Hansen, CEO of Elsevier'...

PHILADELPHIA, Pennysylvania, May 7 /PRNewswire/ --     Elsevier, one of the 
world's leading publishers of scientific, technical,
and medical (STM) information products and services, announced today that
Michael Hansen, CEO of Elsevier's Health Sciences Division, issued the
following statement in light of recent allegations of improper Australia
based sponsored journal publication practices between 2000 and 2005:



    "Elsevier prides itself on operating its business in the most ethical,
honest and transparent manner possible. We have been stewards of the
scientific record for more than 125 years and we take our role in advancing
medical and scientific research seriously.



    It has recently come to my attention that from 2000 to 2005, our
Australia office published a series of sponsored article compilation
publications, on behalf of pharmaceutical clients, that were made to look
like journals and lacked the proper disclosures. This was an unacceptable
practice, and we regret that it took place.



    We are currently conducting an internal review but believe this was an
isolated practice from a past period in time. It does not reflect the way we
operate today. The individuals involved in the project have long since left
the company. I have affirmed our business practices as they relate to what
defines a journal and the proper use of disclosure language with our
employees to ensure this does not happen again.



    We will continue to partner with all scientists and clinical
investigators, including those in the pharmaceutical industry, to help
communicate the findings of high-quality, peer-reviewed medical research. We
have strict disclosure rules in place so that readers are aware of any
financial interests behind a specific article or journal, or when entire
compilation products are created for pharmaceutical marketing purposes.



    I understand this issue has troubled our communities of authors, editors,
customers and employees. But I can assure all that the integrity of
Elsevier's publications and business practices remains intact."



About Elsevier

    Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical
and medical information products and services. Working in partnership with
the global science and health communities, Elsevier's 7,000 employees in over
70 offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per
year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such
as ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), MD Consult (
http://www.mdconsult.com/), Scopus (http://www.info.scopus.com/),
bibliographic databases, and online reference works.



    Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com/) is a global business
headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide.
Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc (http://www.reedelsevier.com/), a
world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science
and medical, legal, education, and business-to-business sectors, Reed
Elsevier provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users,
with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed
Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock
Exchange), RUK, and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).


    
    Tom Reller, Director, Corporate Relations, Elsevier
    [phone]
    [e-mail]