Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15960

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

TGA to investigate Sigma
Pharmacy Daily (Australia) - registration required 2009 Jul 13
http://www.pharmacydaily.com.au

Full text:

THE Thereapeutic Goods Administration has been ordered to conduct an investigation into the Sigma-organised boat cruise for pharmacists and doctors, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler confirmed today.

Speaking with Pharmacy Daily this afternoon, Butler said that he had ordered the investigation in
order to determine whether Sigma was in breach of restrictions on the promotion of products.

He said that while Sigma is not a member of Medicines Australia, and so is not bound by the MA code of conduct in its entirity, the company must comply with the code when it comes to product promotions.

“Public confidence in this indusrty and its relationship with pharmacists is critically important,” Butler said, adding that to maintain public confidence in pharmacists’ advice, it is necessary to ensure that no conflicts of interest or perceptions of conflicts of interest arise.

Sigma has stated that the cruise will not be used to promote products, and numerous other industry players have rejected claims of a conflict of interest, stating that such fears are unjustified
because passengers on the cruise will be paying for themselves.

The TGA has now asked Sigma to provide it with “all the information surrounding this promotion.”

Mr Butler could not comment on the potential ramifications for Sigma if it is found to be in breach.