Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1456

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

Arkinstall WW.
Interaction between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry.
CMAJ 1995 Aug 15; 153:(4):398-9

Keywords:
*letter to the editor Canada attitude toward industry guidelines, discussion of ideology relationship between medical profession and industry ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY

Notes:

The author wonders what has turned the traditional relationship of cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry to one of suspicion and hostility. Continuing criticism is a disservice to physicians, the industry and patients. Most doctors do not have the time to get information about drugs from journals. Personal contact with sales representatives is an effective way to exchange information. The people who develop guidelines appear to believe that physicians are incapable of assessing information accurately. Physicians who criticize the pharmaceutical industry may have a hidden or vested interest or may be caught up in political correctness.