Analysis

Relationships with the drug industry: More regulation, greater transparency

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: 10.1136/bmj.b211 (Published 3 February 2009)
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b211

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  1. Harlan M Krumholz, Harold H Hines Junior professor of medicine and epidemiology and public health12,
  2. Joseph S Ross, assistant professor34
  1. 1 Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Department of Medicine, Section of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208088, New Haven, CT 06520-8088, USA
  2. 2Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, New Haven, CT, USA
  3. 3Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA
  4. 4James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
  1. Correspondence to: H M Krumholz harlan.krumholz{at}yale.edu

    The relationship between the drug industry, academia, healthcare professionals, and patients is widely held to be at an all time low, and it is in the interests of all parties to improve it. A recent report from the Royal College of Physicians gives 42 recommendations aimed at forging a more productive partnership with industry. Here we set out five views on what the ideal relationship between industry and prescribers and patients should be and what steps need to be taken to achieve it (doi:10.1136/bmj.b222, doi:10.1136/bmj.b232, doi:10.1136/bmj.b234, doi:10.1136/bmj.b252)

    The relationship between drug and device companies, the medical profession, and the public is at a critical juncture. Individuals who have placed their interests in profit and influence over patients and public health have overshadowed much of the good work and reputations of those who have engaged in constructive interaction.1 As a result, public perception of the drug industry, doctors …

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