Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2501

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

Abraham J.
The pharmaceutical industry as a political player.
Lancet 2002 Nov 9; 360:(9344):1498-502
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12433532

Abstract:

The pharmaceutical industry has produced many drugs that have benefited man. Political frameworks designed to govern the industry must maintain these benefits. However, regulation needs to be sufficiently robust to protect public health from drugs that are unsafe, ineffective, or unnecessary. The extent of industry influence over drug regulation, at the expense of other interested parties, suggests that the current system could be more robust. The many ways in which the pharmaceutical industry can influence governments and regulatory agencies are discussed, and methods by which this influence can be curbed are suggested.

Keywords:
Conflict of Interest Drug Industry/legislation & jurisprudence Drug Industry/standards* Economic Competition Government Legislation, Drug/standards* Politics* *analysis United Kingdom conflict-of-interest lobbying politics REGULATIONS, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION