Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10173

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: news

Jamaluddin ZD.
Medicines and Ethical Practices
Malay Mail 2007 Mar 21
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/876391/medicines_and_ethical_practices/

Full text:

Dear Editor,

THIS is in response to the article `Plug loopholes in consumer protection’ on March 14.

The article highlights concerns of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations with regard to drug companies and doctors.

The Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) shares the concerns of Fomca that patients’ health should not be compromised through unethical practices.

However, we want to point out that many of the concerns highlighted in the article are unfounded and some of the points raised are incorrect.

Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs.

The only avenue available is the sharing of information with doctors and allied healthcare professionals.

This is done through scientific publications.

This enables a doctor to make informed decisions about medicines he prescribes.

For PhAMA members, this information is regulated through the PhAMA code of conduct for prescription (ethical) products which members are bound by.

The PhAMA code sets out standards for ethical practices in the promotion of pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals.

The code, among others, prohibits the offering of financial inducements to healthcare professionals to influence them in the prescription of pharmaceutical products.

For R&D based companies, the medicines, samples included, have undergone rigorous testing to determine their effectiveness and safety.

The testing is followed by regulatory approvals before these medicines are marketed.

The Malaysian Drug Control Authority exercises control on quality, safety and efficacy based on the highest international standards.

Hence, all medicines, including samples, have been put through these stringent processes keeping patients’ welfare in mind.

It is also important to understand pharmaceutical companies are regulated by guidelines from internal and external sources, as this is a highly regulated industry.

The Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956 (Revised 1983) and PhAMA’s Code of Conduct has, within their auspices, regulations which need to be adhered to.

PhAMA has also drawn up guidelines for disease awareness education for members’ compliance.

Many of PhAMA’s member companies, in addition, have internal guidelines that clearly state the manner in which all members of a company interact with healthcare professionals.

In these guidelines, there are sections that prohibit a company from giving any form of incentive, financial or otherwise, to induce a doctor into purchasing a product.

The consumer needs to be informed of their rights when it comes to making healthcare decisions but they also have to be informed in a holistic and unbiased manner.

Medicines produced by pharmaceutical companies have gone a long way towards improving the health of patients all over the world.

Doctors and the pharmaceutical industry are partners in their quest for a healthier world.

Zaiton Datuk Jamaluddin

President, The Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia