The decline in Searle's drug business has been caused by a lack of new products. The Synthelabo connection gives Searle access to high-grade European research. The first joint company was Lorex, set up in the United States in 1982. Lorex has since formed a Canadian subsidiary. The other two joint companies were set up last year -- one in Holland, the other in the UK.

Synthelabo, based in Paris and owned by the beauty firm L'Oreal (which is itself owned by Nestle) was until a few years ago a medium-sized company investing heavily in research.

The Searle deals form what is thought to be the largest single sector of am ambitious expansion programme that has made it the fourth biggest drugs firm in France. The Searle connection has given Synthelabo the status of an international company, as well as a new outlets, for its producers. It is in Synthelabo's interests to ensure that Searle thrives.

Professor Turner and his colleague. Dr. Warrington, have worked on the development of Synthelabo's beta blocker, Betazolo. They have published several papers on the drug in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Charterhouse was heavily criticized last month for paying unemployed people and students 250 lbs or more to act as guinea pigs in the first trials of a cancer drug, which, it was feared might itself promote the growth of certain tumours.

Professor Turner told the Guardian in a statement last month that Charterhouse was an independent company. Mr Barclay, the Charterhouse chairman, explained: "It was setup by Lers (Synthelabo's research subsidiary), it was their idea, and they subscribed the initial share capital. In 1981 most of their interest was transferred to the charity. It was a way of having a research facility in England for them and for other pharmaceutical companies."

Professor Turner also told the Guardian last month that "any profits" from Charterhouse went to his charity. According to the last accounts filed by Charterhouse, in l982 the firm paid 10,131 lbs "under covenant to the trustees of Synthelabo Foundation. After this payment was made, the firm recorded a profit of 40,464 lbs. In l981, Charterhouse paid 5,294 lbs to the trustees.

Mr. Barclay explained: "The taxable profits went to the charity. They are the profits upon which, if they had not been covenanted in this way, tax would have to be paid."

The charity's file at the Charity Commissioner contains only one set of accounts (for 1983). They have not been audited. The trustees are required by the Commission t file accounts every year. According to the unaudited l983 accounts, the charity received 15,425 (lbs) under covenant from Charterhouse and gave St. Bartholomew's Medical College 21,206 (lbs).

The two trustees, Professor Turner and Professor Bartholini, of Synthelabo, are empowered according to the charity's records, to use the money to fund research into clinical pharmacology and allied fields, for education and "for the relief of sickness" not necessarily at St. Bartholomew's. The trustees may, if they wish, invest the money.

The Guardian asked Professor Turner if he had been aware of the Searle/Synthelabo connection, and if so whether he considered it might have influenced his views on the products. He was also asked if he agreed that people in positions such as his had an ethical duty to declare their interests. He did not answer.