Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2928

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

Hemminki E, Pesonen T.
An inquiry into associations between leading physicians and the drug industry in Finland.
Soc Sci Med 1977 May; 11:(8-9):501-6

Abstract:

The purpose of the present study was to investigate an indirect marketing method of drug industry; the associations between the leading physicians and the drug industry. 337 Finnish physicians were defined as key-physicians on the basis of their formal positions in 1974. their associations with the drug industry in 1974 were investigated. 41% of the key-physicians had some associations with the drug industry. Those physicians who held many positions as key-physicians had more relationships than those having fewer positions. The medical teachers had the highest frequency of relationships. But also those in the National Board of Health who had control functions over the drug industry or distributed drug information had relationships. The most common form of connection was a membership in the administrative or scientific board of a drug company. The frequent connections between the medical elite and the drug industry may have important influences on the medical practice and health policy.

Keywords:
Drug Industry* Finland Humans Physicians* *analytic survey/Finland/relationship between medical profession and industry/conflict of interest/health and healthcare/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE/PROMOTION DISGUISED: APPOINTMENTS AND RETAINERS