Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1225

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

Derauf , Dd .
Surely you jest?
BMJ 2003 Mar 15; 325:(7377):1375
http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/325/7377/1375

Abstract:

Richard Smith’s otherwise cogent article on “Competing Interests” seems to me seriously marred by his blanket statement: “There isnt anything wrong in having competing interests”. First I thought, “Surely he means: ‘There isn’t anything neccesarily wrong in having competing interests’” but he then goes on to describe the apparent ubiquity of the the (bad) practice of doctors receiving gifts, lunches and travel as somehow proof that “there is nothing wrong” except if they are not declared. Can he really mean this? Surely the question of whether or not these practices are “wrong” is one that is subject to vigourous debate, much more cautious consideration, and a lot less selfish interest on the part of all of us. [full text]

Keywords:
letter to the editor United Kingdom United States relationship between medical profession and industry conflict-of-interest declaration of interests gift giving ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: GIFT GIVING ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: PAYMENT FOR MEALS, ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY