FED: Drug companies worried media will misuse entertainment info

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2003
FED: Drug companies worried media will misuse entertainment info

A proposal requiring drug companies to disclose hospitality and entertainment provided
to doctors has been scuttled after lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry.

The plan was put forward during the drafting of a code of conduct by the industry body
Medicines Australia.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission authorised the new code last month,
which cracks down on drug companies treating doctors to dinners, free nights at the theatre
or holding education sessions at wineries and luxury resorts.

The ACCC originally said it would only authorise the code if it contains a requirement
for companies to provide details about educational meetings organised or sponsored by
them prior to the event.

But Medicines Australia says the information could be misused by the media or consumers,
and the Australian Medical Association also opposes the plan.

The ACCC has agreed to a watered-down alternative where a monitoring committee drawn
from industry representatives will seek information about educational meetings over three
months from companies, and publish a summary in its annual report.

AAP RTV jjs/swe/rp

KEYWORD: HOSPITALITY (SYDNEY)

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