Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6940

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

McKinney WP, Rich EC.
Gifts to physicians from the pharmaceutical industry.
JAMA 2000 May 24-31; 283:(20):2656-7

Abstract:

These concerns [on the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry and its impact} are remarkably similar to those expressed a decade ago. However, there is evidence of a worrisome new marketing strategy, pharmaceutical sponsorship of events involving not only physicians, but their families as well. Three recent examples of such events in Louisville, Ky and Omaha Neb are described. Such events involve the physician’s spouse and children in the gift relationship. Major professional guidelines would seem to discourage such activities although they do not explicitly mention family involvement in sponsored events. Revision of guidelines may be required to address these newer forms of marketing.

Keywords:
*letter to the editor/United States Conflict of Interest* Drug Industry* Interprofessional Relations* Physicians*