Patients expect transparency in doctors’ relationships with the pharmaceutical industry

Cole, Catherine H

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02505.x

Topics

To the Editor: Two articles in the 19 January issue of the Journal1,2 and an article on the involvement of pharmaceutical companies in studies of their own products published in The Australian on the same day3 impel me to relate my own experience of attempting to influence my colleagues’ attitudes toward transparency in relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, and my good fortune to be working in a 21st century oncology clinical trials unit.

University of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA.

Correspondence: catherine.cole@health.wa.gov.au

1. Tattersall MHN, Dimoska A, Gan K. Patients expect transparency in doctors’ relationships with the pharmaceutical industry. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 65-68. <MJA full text>
2. Olver IN, Haines IE. What changes are needed to the current direction and interpretation of clinical cancer research to meet the needs of the 21st century? Med J Aust 2009; 190: 74-77. <MJA full text>
3. Cresswell A. Unhealthy dose of cash. The Australian 2009; 19 Jan. http://www.theaustralian. news.com.au/story/0,25197,24928791-28737,00. html (accessed Mar 2009).

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