Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2449

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

Transparency International.
Slovak judge, German pharmacologist and Brazilian campaigner win anti-corruption award
2002 Sep 30;
http://www.transparency.org/pressreleases_archive/2002/2002.09.30.anti_corruption_award.html

Abstract:

The Transparency International Integrity Award 2002 will be awarded to Jana Dubovcová, a Slovak judge who took on corruption in her profession, Dr Peter S. Schönhöfer, a German pharmacologist who exposed the corrupt practices of drug companies, and Luis Roberto Mesquita, a Brazilian businessman who defied death threats in his campaign to clean up politics. Dr Peter S. Schönhöfer, a professor of pharmacology and co-editor of the independent German drugs bulletin, Arznei-Telegramm, is a resolute critic of corruption by certain pharmaceutical companies, including practices such as paying honoraria to doctors’ interns and medical department staff to insert non-essential drugs on lists of approved drugs. He has also criticised corrupt medical experts for falsifying scientific data in publications. Schönhöfer has often had to defend his critical opinions in court, but has never lost a case nor had to retract any statements. He has demanded full disclosure of links between the pharmaceutical industry and the health care system to minimise the scope for corruption. Anke Martiny, Deputy Chairwoman of TI Germany, explained: “Dr Schönhöfer is a shining example for medical professionals in the German health sector and further afield. He has shown great determination in demanding strict codes of conduct to curb corruption and conflicts of interest.”

Keywords:
*news story Germany Arznei-Telegramm conflict-of-interest relationship with pharmaceutical industry corruption ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: FORMULARY INCLUSION PROMOTION DISGUISED: APPOINTMENTS AND RETAINERS