BMJ  2005;331 (5 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7524.0-d

Paternalism can stand in the way of best treatment

It is unethical and paternalistic to withhold information about potentially beneficial unsubsidised drugs because of concerns about a patient's capacity to pay, say Jefford and colleagues on page 1075. A survey of Australian oncologists found that about two thirds would not discuss an effective but unsubsidised new cancer drug with a patient who might benefit from it, because of its cost. It is difficult for doctors to know the financial capacity of individual patients and their families, argue the authors. If doctors judge that patients would want the drug if it were free, they should inform them of the unsubsidised drug.

Credit: GEORGE MARKS/HULTON/GETTY

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Will humanity and professional code ethics be clouded by expensive drugs.

Jeevan P Marasinghe
bmj.com, 7 Nov 2005 [Full text]