September 2, 2008

Conflict-of-Interest Policies Are Not a Tough Pill to Swallow, Medical Journal Finds

Academic medical centers are finding it easier than expected to pull the plug on marketing practices that seek to sway doctors’ prescribing practices, according to a study published this afternoon by The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Fears that faculty members would flee and industry-research financing would dry up if free lunches and gifts were banned have not been realized, the study found. A report of the study’s findings was written by David J. Rothman and Susan Chimonas of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Stanford University became the latest institution last month to announce that it was imposing strict limits on industry support for continuing medical education.

In the last two years, at least 25 medical centers have adopted stringent policies aimed at preventing conflicts of interest, the report notes. Among the universities they represent are the entire University of California system, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to banning free handouts, the policies have restricted access for drug-company representatives seeking to visit academic physicians.

Institutions with strong policies usually have a dean who takes the lead, supported by knowledgeable administrators such as a dean of pharmacy, the study concludes. —Katherine Mangan

Comments

1. Perhaps equally pervasive is the special interests dispensing or witholding student loans! When does a medical student with a brain become useless, say, when his loans are – or are not —paid? Remember, student loans are largely the reason people went for home equity loans in a cash starved (vertically integrated) economy!
   …Wouldn’t it be wonderful if in the spirit of a Katrina-type aid to those whove filed for bankruptcy protection already, Federal Courts could discontinue the unimaginative practice of forgiving all debts save student loans?
   None would care more than taxpayers if Federal government needing to guarantee private lenders could show some change of thinking in this climate.. After all, Jefferson did write an Article about bankruptcy protection in the Constitution didn’t he? Or doesn’t Jefferson “work” for Wall Street?
   Time for the medical community to lead the way in social charity…?

   — Thomas    Sep 2, 05:11 PM    #

2. What in the world does the Federal gov’t forgiving medical school loans have to do with the potential conflict of interest burden placed upon physicians and CME providers by their acceptance of pharmaceutical industry “gifts”? Having spent time working for a CME provider, I applaud these instutitions’ efforts to unshackle their physicians and their continuing education programs from the influence of big pharma dollars. I have seen more than a few physicians rest comfortably in the pocket of their favored company and tout their wares in every talk that is hawked as “educational” but is merely a shill for the company behind the curtain. Fully informed and educated physicians are the ones of greatest benefits to patients. Physicians should feel completely free to prescribe the best drug for their patient, not just the one from the company who can afford to take them to lunch at the tony restaurant around the corner. Institutions are doing these physicians a huge favor by keeping the pharma sales reps at bay while they do their job.

   — Kimberley    Sep 3, 09:40 AM    #

3. What on God’s earth is Tom talking about? His comments have nothing to do with this article.

   Strictly enforcing the guidelines regarding pharma and CME is necessary, but some university departments do not have a rich war chest to provide CME programs to their faculty and trainees. I work in CME and I have but once in three years encountered a pharma rep that asked to do something a little questionable regarding sponsoring an outside faculty to give grand rounds. Overall, our department has not had problems with conflicts of interests or any perceived bias.

   — Maria    Sep 3, 07:55 PM    #

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