text: I think people need to be a little careful about conflict of interests, particularly when it comes to making medical policy.
  
  What you want are open minds who are willing to review the data in an intelligent manner.  Just because an individual has worked closely with industry doesn't mean that he/she cannot meet these goals.  In fact, it may be a sign that the people is imminently qualified and may be exactly the right person for the panel.  In contrast, just because someone has had no interactions with industry doesn't necessarily mean they have an open mind either.  It is quite possible for a person to have preconceived, incorrect,  notions of what needs to be done.  An excellent example would be the change by Ontario to no longer fund high doses of opioids.  There are people out there, such as palliative cancer patients, who need these medications, and this decision was made without consultation with palliative care experts.  No conflicts doesn't necessarily mean open mind.