Between two cultures: the expert clinician and the pharmaceutical industry

Author: Gale, Edwin A.M.

Source: Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians, Volume 3, Number 6, 1 November 2003 , pp. 538-541(4)

Publisher: Royal College of Physicians

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Abstract:

Expert clinicians, valued for their academic status and independence, are used by the pharmaceutical industry for advice, for contract research, and as a means of conveying their message to other clinicians. Both academics and industry depend upon this interaction, but there is a fundamental clash of cultures at the interface between the two. Independence cannot be marketed for a fee, opinion too easily shades into advocacy, and secrecy and science do not mix. Formal guidelines and declarations of interest are inadequate as a means of policing an interface where undisclosed amounts of money change hands so freely. In the absence of effective sanctions, each of us must seek a personal solution to the professional and ethical issues involved.

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Keywords: CONFLICT OF INTEREST; SPONSORSHIP

Document Type: Regular paper

Publication date: 2003-11-01

More about this publication?

Clinical Medicine is published six times a year and circulated to 20,000 Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Physicians. The journal is read by physicians both established and in training in hospitals across the world. It features a wide range of articles including original papers, professional issues, clinical guidance, medical humanities, ethics and clinical governance. The journal publishes the key features from the College lectures and conferences. Each issue has a CME section which reviews the latest advances in a chosen specialty.
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