TABLE 1.

Guidance for prescribers, policymakers and patients when engaging with industry

Physicians and other prescribers

Industry gifts such as pens, meals and financial payments are an effective way of influencing prescribing habits and may have negative impacts on patients by leading to unnecessary, irrational and more expensive prescribing.

Industry-sponsored clinical trials are frequently biased. When reading the medical literature it is important to look for potential conflicts of interest.

CME events without industry sponsorship are more likely to be free from industry bias.

Policymakers

Hospital formulary selection should be based on pharmacoeconomic principles to ensure the maximum benefit for the maximum number of patients.

Industry marketing is frequently inaccurate and should be challenged.

Members of regulatory authorities should declare their conflicts of interest and not be involved in the assessment of drugs/therapeutics where a conflict exists.

Guideline development should not be financed or supported by industry.

Patients

Patients in countries with DTCA should be aware that industry marketing frequently over-emphasises benefits while minimising risks of treatments. They may also present their product as the sole treatment option while ignoring alternative treatment options. Patients should have discussions with their healthcare provider about what options are available with consideration of individual medical history.

Patient groups play an important role in patient advocacy and should be supported. However, they risk becoming industry lobbyists when unrealistic expectations are used to encourage them to manipulate policymakers.