Re: More doctors are disclosing payments from drug companies
The article by Hawkes N was read with interest (1). It is sad to know that the proportion of doctors accepting money from drug companies is increasing. Payments from drug companies have an effect to alter diagnosis and treatment plan by doctors. Drug companies should be restrained from paying to doctors, by enacting appropriate laws. Also, a penalty should be imposed on doctors accepting payments from drug companies. Patients' health interest should be considered paramount and all measures should be taken to preserve it.
The effectiveness and side effects of the drugs should be extensively tested by at least five independent research institutes which are not related to the drug manufacturing company. The results should be compared with the existing similar drugs in the market. This drug testing procedure should be carried out by the national drug approving authority before the drug is released into the market. The results of this testing should be published transparently on the website of the national drug approving authority and be made freely available to both the doctors and patients. Doctors should voluntarily refrain from accepting money from drug companies to preserve their integrity and prevent conflicts in their noble profession. The use or prescription of drugs should solely be based on its merit and advantages over other counterpart drugs available in the market. Drug use and prescription should never be influenced by money. Doctors should use and prescribe drugs which have more advantages with minimum side effects. It is high time that doctor-patient relationship be protected from getting damaged by money paid from drug companies.
References
1. Hawkes N. More doctors are disclosing payments from drug companies. BMJ 2017;357:j3195.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
03 July 2017
Vagish Kumar L Shanbhag
Reader
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College and Hospital, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya University.
Rapid Response:
Re: More doctors are disclosing payments from drug companies
The article by Hawkes N was read with interest (1). It is sad to know that the proportion of doctors accepting money from drug companies is increasing. Payments from drug companies have an effect to alter diagnosis and treatment plan by doctors. Drug companies should be restrained from paying to doctors, by enacting appropriate laws. Also, a penalty should be imposed on doctors accepting payments from drug companies. Patients' health interest should be considered paramount and all measures should be taken to preserve it.
The effectiveness and side effects of the drugs should be extensively tested by at least five independent research institutes which are not related to the drug manufacturing company. The results should be compared with the existing similar drugs in the market. This drug testing procedure should be carried out by the national drug approving authority before the drug is released into the market. The results of this testing should be published transparently on the website of the national drug approving authority and be made freely available to both the doctors and patients. Doctors should voluntarily refrain from accepting money from drug companies to preserve their integrity and prevent conflicts in their noble profession. The use or prescription of drugs should solely be based on its merit and advantages over other counterpart drugs available in the market. Drug use and prescription should never be influenced by money. Doctors should use and prescribe drugs which have more advantages with minimum side effects. It is high time that doctor-patient relationship be protected from getting damaged by money paid from drug companies.
References
1. Hawkes N. More doctors are disclosing payments from drug companies. BMJ 2017;357:j3195.
Competing interests: No competing interests