Conflicts of interest: a review of institutional policy in Australian medical schools

Mason, Paul R; Tattersall, Martin

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03249.x

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In reply: The medical community in Australia regulates itself through various non-binding codes and guidelines, but these have not been shown to reduce industry influence on doctors or medical students. In contrast, the existence of institutional policies can limit the influence of industry, resulting in medical students and doctors who are less influenced by industry marketing.1,2

1 Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
2 Central Clinical School, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW.

Correspondence: martin.tattersall@sydney.edu.au

1. Austad KEA, Kesselheim J. Medical students’ exposure to and attitudes about the pharmaceutical industry: a systematic review. PLoS Med 2011; 8: e1001037.<eMJA full text>
2. Grande D, Frosch DL, Perkins AW, Kahn BE. Effect of exposure to small pharmaceutical promotional items on treatment preferences. Arch Intern Med 2009; 169: 887-893.

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