Tighter curbs are needed on the influence of the UK drug industry on doctors and patient groups, particularly during a recession, says a report from the left wing think tank Compass.

With fewer opportunities to make profits from existing bestselling drugs, many of which come off patent between now and 2011, companies are likely to “squeeze more from less” through increasingly dubious methods, say the authors.

Drug companies exert too much influence over prescribing practice, which can unnecessarily raise costs for the NHS and raise risks for patients, they say, pointing out that the drug …