Drug companies are censured by watchdog

Two pharmaceutical companies that offered doctors money, gifts, and inappropriate hospitality to promote sales of their products have been censured by the pharmaceutical industry's watchdog organisation. One of the companies took doctors on free trips to Portugal and Spain, which included golf, tennis, squash, and sightseeing.

The watchdog, the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, ruled that the activities of both companies had discredited the pharmaceutical industry. They had breached clause 2 of the code of practice, which says that methods of promotion must never bring discredit on, or reduce confidence in, the pharmaceutical industry.

The companies, Fisons Pharmaceuticals and Duphar Laboratories, were subsequently suspended from membership of the Association of British …