Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3428

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

Goldfinger SE.
A matter of influence.
N Engl J Med 1987 May 28; 316:(22):1408-9

Abstract:

The author discusses the ethics of pharmaceutical companies paying for physicians and residents to attend medical conferences. For better or worse, the burgeoning support by the pharmaceutical industry of the education of physicians is here to stay but it is not unreasonable to examine the various forms that such support take and set our ethical antenna high enough to make some rudimentary distinctions. The assumption that one can accept the blandishments without any risk of being compromised is incredibly naive, but even if it were true, would that make it right? The time has come for physicians to set some limits.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/doctors/relationship between medical profession and industry/regulation of promotion/continuing medical education/ conflict of interest/corporate funding/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: PAYMENT FOR MEALS, ACCOMODATION, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT/PROMOTION DISGUISED: CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/SPONSORSHIP: INDIVIDUALS Drug Industry* Education, Medical, Continuing/economics* Ethics, Medical* United States