Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14036

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

Cairns A, Yarker YE.
The role of healthcare communications agencies in maintaining compliance when working with the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals.
Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 May; 24:(5):1371-8
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/libra/cmro/2008/00000024/00000005/art00015?token=00561eb67922191ce1f00a383a4b3b257b6e7b757b316a387c2041662a726e2d2954496f642f466f3a3edc

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals continue to drive discussion about the potential for conflicts of interest. Despite greater regulation and oversight, there are still calls for increased transparency and further restrictions on these relationships. Regulatory authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, professional societies, and other interested parties have responded by developing robust guidelines for interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals. This, in turn, is driving change in the way that healthcare communications agencies work, increasing the need for them to visibly demonstrate processes that ensure their employees comply with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines. EXPOSITION: In our group of healthcare communications agencies we have established an internal compliance program and developed a policy that reflects the services we provide, and we recommend that other agencies adopt a similar program. Compliance training, implemented by a nominated compliance team, can be enforced by including compulsory tests for employees who interact with the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals, with annual reassessment. The compliance team also has an important role to play in ensuring ongoing communication and staff education, including awareness of new legal and best practice developments. Management of the compliance program is essential, with clear mechanisms for auditing and evaluation, and the inclusion of compliance adherence in staff performance objectives. A visible framework for handling potential compliance issues should also be developed, with clear definitions of different levels of noncompliance and potential associated consequences. Compliance programs may also include other elements, such as terminology and documentation guidance, so that the program becomes an integral tool used by employees on a daily basis. CONCLUSION: With a robust internal compliance program, healthcare communication agencies can play a significant role in helping maintain appropriate pharmaceutical industry-healthcare professional relationships in an increasingly regulated and scrutinized environment.

Keywords:
Conflict of Interest* Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration* Drug Industry/organization & administration* Ethics, Institutional Female Great Britain Guideline Adherence Guidelines as Topic Health Care Surveys Health Systems Agencies/organization & administration* Humans Interdisciplinary Communication* Interprofessional Relations Male Organizational Innovation Policy Making Program Development Program Evaluation Quality Assurance, Health Care Sensitivity and Specificity United States