Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19839

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: Magazine

Smith P
Drug company complaints fall
Australian Doctor 2006 Oct 13
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/drug-company-complaints-fall

Abstract:

THE number of complaints about drug company conduct has almost halved in 12 months despite increasing pressure for a further crackdown on the way companies market their products to doctors.The Medicines Australia annual report said it received 27 complaints to its code of conduct committee during the past financial year. The committee found seven breaches of the code and four partial breaches. Offending companies paid a total of $160,000 in fines during the year.According to the report, Baxter Healthcare was sanctioned after using a harbour cruise in AucklandNew Zealand, as a venue for educational meetings. None of the doctors involved were flown to New Zealand by the company but it was deemed to breach the codes ban on lavish entertainment.The…