Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4089

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

Perman E.
Voluntary control of drug promotion in Sweden.
N Engl J Med 1990 Aug 30; 323:(9):616-7

Abstract:

This report describes the voluntary self-regulatory mechanism for controlling drug promotion in Sweden which was established in the late 1960s by the two organizations representing nearly all pharmaceutical companies in Sweden. The Swedish National Board of Health has used the services of the commission that monitors companies adherence to the guidelines. This implies that government authorities consider the commission unbiased and competent. Occasionally, companies not belonging to either of the two associations have refused to cooperate with the commission and have not accepted its ruling. The commission does not deal with all forms of interaction between pharmaceutical companies and health professionals. Remunerating doctors for their participation in the marketing activities of companies and ownership by doctors of companies involved in health care are examples of problems not covered by the guidelines.

Keywords:
*analysis/Sweden/regulation of promotion/relationship between medical profession and industry/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: LINKS BETWEEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND INDUSTRY/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: COMPLIANCE, SANCTIONS, STANDARDS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION Advertising/standards* Drug Industry* Ethics Social Control, Formal/methods* Societies, Pharmaceutical Sweden