Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3130

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

Doctors and the drug industry.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1983 Feb 19; 286:(6365):579-80

Abstract:

(Limited to parts of article dealing with promotion.) Serious doubts are raised by the close links between the pharmaceutical industry and the design and analysis of clinical trials of its products and by publication of reports of drug research in journals with no system of peer review. Consumer watchdogs are angered by drug company sponsored concerts, banquets and excursions for doctors. How has the medical profession come to expect that not only should its postgraduate education be financed by an interested party-the drug industry-but that the industry should also pay for much of doctors’ foreign travel and entertainment? The more extravagant promotional activities should no longer be seen as acceptable. The time has come for the medical profession and the industry to set reasonable boundaries for expenditure on drug promotion.

Keywords:
*editorial/United Kingdom/gift giving/continuing medical education/drug company sponsored research/relationship between medical profession and industry/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: GIFT GIVING/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: PAYMENT FOR MEALS, ACCOMODATION, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/SPONSORSHIP: RESEARCH Costs and Cost Analysis Drug Industry* Drug Utilization Great Britain Humans Prescriptions, Drug*/economics State Medicine/economics