The members of Neurolink were particularly disturbed by Dr Wright's accusation that the materials produced by Neurolink are unbalanced and favour venlafaxine, manufactured by Wyeth.

Neurolink is a well-established board of 14 mental health experts who pride themselves on their unbiased, professional expertise in anxiety and depression, and their ability, as a multi-disciplinary group of health care professionals, to produce materials of practical value to other health care professionals and patients.

Neurolink is indeed supported by an educational grant from Wyeth Laboratories, and has been since 1995. Board members receive an honorarium for their attendance at Advisory Board meetings and working parties, where production of materials is discussed and agreed in the light of the existing evidence base and consensus of the members of the Board.

We would like to emphasise that the materials produced by Neurolink are balanced items that review all treatment options — including drug and non-drug options — and we would refute all claims that materials give prominence to venlafaxine, or any other drug or treatment, unless there is a body of significant evidence that supports it. In the 6 years that we have been in existence, we have never previously received comments to suggest that Neurolink materials are not impartial, practical resource items.