Healthy Skepticism Library item: 20045

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: Magazine

Limprecht E
Lobster returns to the menu
Australian Doctor 2005 Nov 44
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/lobster-returns-to-the-menu

Full text:

Lobster and caviar could be back on the menu at educational functions for doctors – but the pharmaceutical industry will still be banned from serving dinners that are too “lavish”

The industry’s self-regulator, Medicines Australia, said its updated draft code of conduct – due out next year – would no longer include specific demands that drug companies refrain from serving “lobster and caviar”

The move follows lobbying from doctors’ groups that the current code is too restrictive about what foods can be served and concerns among some GPs that they are being expected to eat little more than junk food at education events sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry.

Medicines Australia stressed the removal of specific food references had not watered down its code.

A spokesman said: “We took the references to certain types of food out because it was being too specific, but not because we think lavish hospitality is appropriate. A general rule is that what is appropriate for a professional business meeting would be appropriate for an pharmaceutical company educational meeting.”

Code of conduct committee representative and AMA NSW president Dr John Gullotta welcomed the changes, which he said made the code “more fair and equitable”.