Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12438

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

Woodhead M.
Here come the sandwich police
6Minutes.com.au 2008 Jan 18
http://www.6minutes.com.au/dirplus/images/6minutes/newspluspharma/18_01_2008.pdf

Full text:

The pharmaceutical industry has hired outside auditors to check up on whether companies are
complying with the industry’s Code of Conduct for wining and dining of doctors.
Business consultants Deloitte have been tasked by industry group Medicines Australia with
reviewing all drug companysponsored educational events.

They will check for infringements of the Code of Conduct for medical education events. The Code was recently updated to forbid “extravagant” meals and hospitality not directly related to the purposes
of medical education. This followed claims that drug companies were entertaining doctors with cruises and dancing girls.
The increased scrutiny follows an ACCC ruling that will make pharma companies
publish all details of events they sponsor.

“The appointment of an independent auditor recognises concerns held by some in thecommunity that there is a lack of transparency in the interactions between pharmaceutical companies and doctors,” said Medicines Australia CEO Ian Chalmers.
“If the auditor considers any reported events may potentially be in breach of the
Code, such cases will be subject to a rigorous, independent investigative process that may
… culminate in significant sanctions,” he said in a statement released today.

What do you think?