Intended for healthcare professionals

Analysis

Relationships with the drug industry: Collaboration to improve care

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b232 (Published 04 February 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b232
  1. Gordon Coutts, vice president and general manager
  1. 1Schering Plough UK, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 1TW
  1. gordon.coutts{at}spcorp.com

    The relationship between the drug industry, academia, healthcare professionals, and patients has reached an all time low and few doubt that it is in the interests of all parties to improve it. A recent report from the Royal College of Physicians attempts to define a path towards achieving a more productive relationship. Here we set out five contrasting 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.b211, doi:10.1136/bmj.b252, doi:10.1136/bmj.b234)

    Healthcare professionals and patients need to have the most up to date information on all the treatment options available to them, including medicines. There is therefore a legitimate place for a responsible relationship between the drug industry and the NHS, prescribers, and patients. This relationship should support the promotion …

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