This article was written in August 2004 - 6 years ago. I can’t remember what journals were asking about the authors related to conflicts of interest, but there have been many changes over the past 6 years that provide more transparency. Today organizations writing guidelines and medical journals ask all authors of articles and even abstracts for meetings to report any potential conflict of interest by asking multiple questions about speaker’s bureaus, honoraria or research funding received, investments owned by the author and even spouse, etc. Also, medical journals now report who funded the study so the reader can make his/her own judgment about whether the results may be biased.
One thing the article you posted points out is how important it is when you read an article about a study in your newspaper or hear about a study on TV to look for more information about the study before you buy the what is reported hook, line and sinker. You can find many medical journal abstracts and even some full articles for free at www.pubmed.gov.