A write up got published in the Lancet by a psychiatrist, Professor Ian Hickie, has kicked off a controversy as medical professionals and academicians have complained that the writer of the controversial article Ian Hickie has conflict of interest about the new drugs.

Ian Hickie has said that his work is being scrutinized without any concrete evidence. He has accused that the movement stirred by the academics would cause harm to his work. However, his colleagues have said that his work is just being scientifically scrutinized.

The whole scenario took place when the Lancet asked Ian Hickie to write a review over the new anti-depressants. The drug, which Ian Hickie had to write a review, has been manufactured by a firm which does have links with Ian Hickie.

The academics have accused that Ian Hickie had been favorable for the manufacturer in the write up. Ian Hickie has also affirmed that he does have link with the drug manufacturers. The academics have vented their anger on Lancet as well. They said that the Lancet should have asked someone else to conduct a review of the drug.

Professor Jon Jureidini from the Adelaide University said, "The authors had financial and other relationships with the manufacturer of the drug. There are concerns about the misrepresentation of the effectiveness of the drug, about the clinical usefulness of it, about its adverse effects and about conflicts of interest".

However, while defending himself, Ian Hickie said that he did disclose his links with the drug manufacture to the Lancet. He further said that knowing the relationship or link, the Lancet asked him to conduct a review of the drug. He has refused to accept the allegations imposed upon him. The former chair of the Federal Government's Advisory Council on Mental Health, John Mendoza, has stood firm to defend Ian Hickie.