Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15010

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Angell M.
Relationships with the drug industry: Keep at arm’s length
BMJ. 2009 Feb 3; 338:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/338/feb03_2/b222

Abstract:

The relationship between the drug industry, academia, healthcare professionals, and patients has reached an all time low and few doubt that it is in the interests of all parties to improve it. A recent report from the Royal College of Physicians attempts to define a path towards achieving a more productive relationship. Here we set out five contrasting views on what the ideal relationship between industry and prescribers and patients should be and what steps need to be taken to achieve it.

Full text:

I believe there should be no relationship between the drug industry and either prescribers or patients. Drug companies are investor owned businesses with a responsibility to maximise profits for their shareholders. That is quite different from the mission of the medical profession, which is to provide the best care possible for patients. I start with this simple fact, because it is so often obscured by the industry’s public relations. Drug companies are not confused on this score. Their major output now consists of “me-too” drugs for mild or ill defined conditions in essentially healthy people. This is because that market is big and more easily expanded than the market for innovative drugs for serious diseases.1

The purpose of drug companies’ contact with prescribers is nearly always to increase sales, and it usually involves payments of one form or another. These are often disguised as education-for example, sponsored continuing medical education, . . .