Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5747

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: media release

ACCC Falls for Media Beat-Up On Pharmaceutical Education
AMA ( Australian Medical Association ) 2006 Jul 26
http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-6S3CAY

Notes:

Ralph Faggotter’s Comments:

It appears that the ACCC has a better understanding of the foibles of human nautre than the AMA.

(Either that or the AMA is simply seeking to protect the privileges of its members with the most laughable arguments.)

Full text:

Date released:
26 July 2006

ACCC Falls for Media Beat-Up On Pharmaceutical Education

AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that the ACCC has fallen for
the media ‘free lunch’ beat-up over legitimate education programs where
doctors learn about new drugs that save lives.

The AMA supports the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct but is concerned
that the ACCC’s additional reporting requirements will affect legitimate
medical education.

Dr Haikerwal said the ACCC and the Government should be focused on the
genuine education aspects of the relationship between drug companies and
doctors.

“The ACCC should not be placing unreasonable reporting demands upon the drug
companies – demands that will discourage these important learning
opportunities for doctors.

“If doctors do not learn about new life-saving and health-enhancing drugs
through the seminars put on by the pharmaceutical companies then the
patients will not be prescribed the best possible drug for their condition – it’s as simple as that,” Dr Haikerwal said.

“These seminars give doctors the opportunity to critically appraise the
information the drug companies provide about their new products and to quiz
them directly about their methods and results.

“Medicines Australia already has in place an appropriate code with which the
drug companies, to the best knowledge of doctors attending these seminars,
comply.

“The onus is on the sponsor of the event, not the invited doctors who attend
in good faith.

“Doctors are committed to continuing self-education in order to maintain the
best level of knowledge with which to treat their patients.

“Industry-sponsored education is often necessary and appropriate so long as
education is the primary objective and such initiatives are not promotional
in nature.

“Like any seminar, the provision of meals is appropriate, particularly for
long educational sessions, as doctors are sacrificing their time – often
their personal time – to maintain their education and provide the best
advice to their patients.

“Doctors will not be influenced by gifts or any sort of inducements by the
pharmaceutical industry, including the provision of meals during educational
activities.

“We want to provide the best possible care for our patients with the best
possible drugs, where necessary. The ACCC must have better things to do
with their time than discourage this important objective,” Dr Haikerwal
said.