Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4243

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

Woollard R.
The CMA's MD-drug industry guidelines offer advice, nothing more.
CMAJ 1991 Dec 1; 145:(11):1498-9

Abstract:

The guidelines from the Canadian Medical Association received input from a wide range of organization including the pharmaceutical industry and the College of Family Physician of Canada both of whom endorsed the guidelines. Moreover, the guidelines were passed unanimously by the CMA’s General Council. Doctors are not simply small businessmen and women trying to eke out a living. They are monopoly providers and act in a fiduciary manner toward their patients. Drug companies interested in promoting continuing medical education will not redirect money to other forms of advertising but will support bona fide educational programs. The guidelines offer advice and nothing more. They are simply meant to respond to the profession’s stated need for guidance on appropriate behaviour in an increasingly complex inter-relationship.

Keywords:
*analysis/Canada/ Canadian Medical Association/ continuing medical education/ conflict of interest/ relationship between medical profession and industry/ agency role/guidelines, discussion of/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Canada Conflict of Interest* Drug Industry* Education, Continuing Education, Medical Ethics, Medical Financial Support* Guidelines* Humans Motivation Organizational Policy* Patient Care Physicians* Reference Standards Social Control, Informal Societies