New code requires doctors to disclose all links with drug industry

Doctors who contract after 1 May to act as consultants or advisers to drug companies in the United Kingdom will be obliged to declare the arrangement whenever they write or speak in public on any issue relating to the company, under new industry rules.

From next year companies will also have to disclose the total amounts paid to consultants and the number of recipients, although the consultants will not have to be named.

The rules form part of the 2011 code of practice of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Important changes include new rules …