Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15621

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

Greenland P.
Time for the Medical Profession to Act
Annals of Internal Medicine 2009 May 11; 169:(9):829-831
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/169/9/829

Abstract:

New Policies Needed Now on Interactions Between Pharmaceutical Companies and Physicians

Full text:

On January 1, 2009, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America1 enacted a new code governing the interactions between pharmaceutical company representatives and health care professionals. The new code, while voluntary for the pharmaceutical manufacturers and physicians, has been endorsed by more than 30 major companies, and it will eliminate small gifts to physicians such as the familiar logo-embossed pens and coffee mugs. The new code, however, does not prohibit sponsorship of office-based or hospital-based meals, continuing medical education (CME) events, or other forms of marketing contacts that are also exceedingly common. Blumenthal2 noted in 2004 that over 90% of physicians in the United States reported at least 1 yearly interaction with a pharmaceutical company, typically in the course of an office “detailing” visit or a CME event. Wazana3 reported in 2000 that, on average, practicing physicians met with drug company representatives 4 times a month. Thus, . . .