MPs launch inquiry into influence of drug industry

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7466.587-a

BMJ 2004;329:587 (11 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7466.587-a

News

MPs launch inquiry into influence of drug industry

Ray Moynihan

London

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The House of Commons Health Committee held its first publichearing this week as part of a wide ranging inquiry into theinfluence of the pharmaceutical industry over the health system.

The committee is investigating drug companies' influence onmedical research, the education of doctors, health information,and drug evaluation. It will specifically look at the industry'sinfluence on the NHS, the National Institute for Clinical Excellenceand other regulatory authorities, universities, professionalsocieties, and the media.

The inquiry has already sparked public attention, after therelease of a strongly worded submission from the Royal Collegeof General Practitioners describing "unhealthy" industry influenceover drug testing, medical education, and information for patients.While stressing the value of the industry to the economy andthe health of patients, the submission accused drug companiesof "disease mongering"—inappropriately widening the boundariesof illness, leading to the over-consumption of drugs.

"If current trends continue, . . . [Full text of this article]

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