Healthy Skepticism Library item: 20052

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

Rayner F
Student ethics code stalled
Australian Doctor 2004 Oct 84

Full text:

THE Australian Medical Student Association federal council has failed to adopt a clear mandate from the student body to support drug company sponsorship.

Pharmaceutical sponsorship, from free meals to free pens, has always been a controversial ethical issue, but this year’s council promised to form a code of conduct and set policy on the issue.

A “statistically significant” national survey of 3000 students found while students appreciated those ethical issues, they said they would still take the money.

The council has decided to stall work on the code of conduct, with the findings being ignored until next year.

AMSA president Mr Matt Hutchinson, who argued in favour of adopting the survey findings, said the outcome was “frustrating”.

He said the results might be published as research and a policy would be drafted and submitted to the incoming WA-based executive early next year, setting the process back at least 12 months.