DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

 

Friday, 4 August 2006

 

 

Patients Lose Out As Doctors Enjoy Pharmaceutical Industry Gifts.

 

"The report today of how many doctors enjoy and even seek expensive gifts, entertainment, and support from the pharmaceutical industry should finally alert the Federal Government to act in the interests of patients", said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

 

"Evidence that doctors' prescribing habits are influenced by their relationship to the industry is overwhelming," said Dr Woodruff, "and the AMA's insistence that doctors are superhuman and immune to marketing flies in the face of common sense and that evidence."

 

 

"Patients are prescribed new and expensive drugs when a cheaper alternative would work just as effectively and safely, and alternative treatments are less likely to be considered" said Dr Woodruff.

 

"Whilst the ACCC's recommendation that the industry must declare all gifts to doctors on their website is a good first step, the problem will not be resolved until the Federal Government acts to control the pharmaceutical industry instead of leaving it to the industry and doctors to regulate themselves. Self-regulation has not worked, either here or overseas."

 

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society