Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15209

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

Horton R.
Reframing relations with Pharma: Chair of RCP working party responds to editorial
BMJ 2009 Feb 24; 338:(7693):b767
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/338/feb24_1/b767

Abstract:

Joe Collier’s editorial about the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) working party report-Innovating for Health-is a satirical fairytale of wonder and mystery.1

Joe says that “the interests of patients seem to have been a secondary consideration.” Joe: have you actually read our report? Derek Calam was our patient representative and spoke on behalf of the RCP’s patient and carer network, a group of patients-not doctors-who advise the college on patient related matters. Derek completed a survey of his members for us, and their views informed not only the chapter entitled “Patient Care” (the longest chapter in our report) but also the entire document. All 10 recommendations we made in that chapter came directly from our consultation with patients.

We also took evidence from consumer organisations-for example, Which?, Diabetes UK, and SANE-and we received written evidence from many individuals and groups from the non-professional, non-industry sector. Joe took part . . .