Guess Who=92s Educating Your Doctor?
It=92s no secret that drug companies sponsor medical conferences and
seminars. But a new re****t by Australian broadcasters shows how drug
companies also help select the speakers at those events.
The reason it matters is that conferences are often where doctors go
for continuing medical education. =93It seems that invisible influence
may be flowing through these sponsored seminars =97 even those
accredited by august associations =97 far more often than many of us
realize,'=92 writes Ray Moynihan, a lecturer at the University of
Newcastle in Australia and a visiting editor at the British Medical
Journal, where the article appeared. =93It is not uncommon for drug
company sponsors to suggest speakers at sessions that are assumed by
the thousands of general practitioners who attend them to be totally
independent.'=92
The article describes the =93invisible=94 influence of drug companies in
doctor education. It cites e-mails between conference organizers and
drug firms in which the drugmakers suggest specific speakers for the
education programs.
One example, outlined in a background briefing re****t by the
Australian Broadcasting Cor****ation, highlights a talk given by a
doctor at a continuing education program at the University of New
South Wales. The doctor makes several casual references to the diet
drug Duromine, which is the Australian brand name for the weight-loss
drug phentermine.
=93While the weight loss drug was mentioned more than half a dozen
times, what was not mentioned to the doctors present was the fact that
the company marketing Duromine, called 3M, as part of its sponsor****p
package, had paid for the right to suggest speakers for the session,'=92
the re****t explained.
The broadcasters go on to cite e-mails showing that the drug firm was
directly involved in helping the doctor prepare his educational talk.
None of this is shocking, but the Australian re****t provides an
interesting glimpse into the vast reach drug firms have in the
training of doctors around the world. And while doctors often are
blamed for having relation****ps with drug firms, the re****t shows how
many doctors who believe they are receiving independent information
are unwittingly being educated by drug company representatives.
To read a transcript or listen to an audio file of the re****t, click
here
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/guess-whos-educating-your-doctor/
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