Doctors and the pharmaceutical industry: time for a national policy?

Martin, Jennifer H; Beer, Christopher; Morris, Raymond G; Doogue, Matthew P

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2009.tb02741.x

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To the Editor: We share Millar’s concerns about the conflicts of interest that influence the genesis and adoption of clinical guidelines1 specifically, and the lack of independent assessment regarding information provided by the pharmaceutical industry generally. Iain Chalmers puts it succinctly:

1 Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.
2 Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, Perth, WA.
3 Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA.
4 Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA.

Correspondence: Jennifer_H_Martin@health.qld.gov.au

1. Millar JA. Genesis of medical thromboprophylaxis guidelines in Australia: a need for transparency and standardisation in guideline development. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 446-450. <MJA full text>
2. Royal College of Physicians. Innovating for health. Patients, physicians, the pharmaceutical industry and the NHS. Report of a Working Party. London: RCP, 2009: 4.
3. 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>
4. Van Der Weyden MB. Doctors and the pharmaceutical industry: time for a national policy [editorial]? Med J Aust 2009; 190: 407-408. <MJA full text>

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