While avoidance of bias is extremely important, it is also important to recognize that most academic pain specialists or researchers with 10+ years of practice will have received support, usually for research, from "Pharma".  Independent pain research (non-industry) is grossly underfunded and it has been otherwise difficult to obtain funding from granting agencies.  Unrestricted funding from Pharma has been extremely helpful for conferences and research at academic institutions.  MDs in receipt of such unrestricted funding should not be exempt from guideline construction.  

Dr. Stern is capable, ethical and has considerable knowledge in prescribing opioids.  However, he is a well known speaker for pharmaceutical companies.  It would make sense that he would have been excluded.