eMJA: Liaison between public hospital staff and the pharmaceutical industry: guidance from the NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group

Editorials

Liaison between public hospital staff and the pharmaceutical industry: guidance from the NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group

Diana H Shipp and Gordon Mallarkey

MJA 2009; 190 (8): 406-407

A key issue is to recognise when a duality of interest has become a conflict of interest

In Australia, provision of specialised product information and promotion by the pharmaceutical industry of drugs approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration is an integral part of the health care environment. The pharmaceutical industry provides information and training to health professionals about new products; funding for conferences; support for professional and social activities secondary to medical education; support for the conduct of research and information about its outcomes; and opportunities to meet with peers. However, the primary goals of the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals differ: the pharmaceutical industry has a financial responsibility to shareholders, while health professionals have a moral responsibility to their patients. The challenge for both is to manage their responsibilities when interacting with one another.

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