Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7390

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: news

Dining doctors 'not on'
The Age 2007 Jan 2
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/dining-doctors-not-on/2007/01/01/1167500062315.html#

Abstract:

IT IS inappropriate for pharmaceutical companies to supply doctors with “sumptuous hospitality”, including harbour cruises, as part of so-called educational meetings, according to Medicines Australia.

In its latest annual report, the pharmaceutical watchdog has cited 11 breaches of a code of conduct covering the promotion of prescription drugs.

The authority received 27 new complaints in 2005-06, with 11 found to be breaches and seven left unresolved. A third of the complaints were made by health care professionals, while a similar number were lodged by pharmaceutical companies about their competitors.

The allegations range from false advertising and claims about drug effectiveness to lavish entertainment of doctors.

The authority fined the pharmaceutical industry a total of $260,000 and ordered several companies to withdraw advertising from magazines.

Baxter Healthcare was banned from taking doctors on any more “educational” cruises.