DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Tuesday, 2 May 2006

Patients Miss Out As Sumptuous Gravy Train For Doctors To Continue

“Patients will continue to be the real victims from reports that the ACCC feels powerless to properly regulate and control the pharmaceutical industry as it pays doctors and consumer groups to help it make huge profits,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“When Big Pharma pursues its profit interests virtually unchallenged, the cost of drugs goes up and drugs are used inappropriately” said Dr Woodruff. “That means patients pay, either by having to pay more for drugs, or by being given the wrong treatment. Doctors are not perfect and can be influenced by being taken out to dinner and being given gifts, and drug companies know it.”

“Self regulation does not work If the Federal Government was really interested in saving money and patients, it would step in to regulate this profit driven industry and stop the rorts. When will that happen?”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society