Monday, July 9, 2012

Code for pharmaceutical industry ‘falls short’

Pharmaceutical companies will be required to disclose more details about their financial ties to doctors under a revised self-regulatory code, but they have resisted calls to name doctors individually or reveal how much they pay them.
Medical experts say the latest revision to the Medicines Australia Code, submitted to the ACCC yesterday, does not go far enough to promote transparency in dealings between the pharmaceutical industry and health professionals. They also criticise the decision not to increase the maximum fine for code offences – $250,000, or $300,000 for repeated violations – regarded by many to be an insufficient deterrent.
Under the revision, which comes into effect in January next year, pharmaceutical companies must disclose aggregate payments to all doctors for consultancies, speaking engagements, advisory duties and sponsorships to attend education seminars. Companies will also be required to publicise payments to patient support groups.
The code includes a ban on drug-branded goods such as mugs and pens, as well as all personal gifts to doctors.

Read more: http://theconversation.edu.au/code-for-pharmaceutical-industry-falls-short-8092

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