Australian medical schools need to improve conflict-of-interest policies
Australian medical schools need to improve their conflict-of-interest policies to ensure quality medical student education, medical research and patient care, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
Dr Paul Mason, Intern at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and co-author Prof Martin Tattersall, Professor of Cancer Medicine from the Central Clinical School at the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, examined the adequacy of policies at Australian medical schools for managing and declaring potential conflicts-of-interest with the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr Mason said that recent research has shown that industry relationships could influence the attitudes and behaviours of medical students, with effects persisting beyond registration, and that medical school policies regulating interaction with the pharmaceutical industry were effective in helping students to maintain a degree of independence from industry bias.
“Policies can temper a preference for brand name medications over generics, reduce the likelihood of gifts being accepted, and lower future interactions with industry, including the receipt of consulting fees.”
Dr Mason said that seven of the 20 Australian medical schools reported conflict-of-interest policies in development.
“Our results indicate a need for improved self-regulation of conflicts-of-interest by Australian medical schools,” Dr Mason said.
“Medical schools should continue to recognise their influential position in society, and be aware that their financial relationship with industry is an area in which they should demonstrate leadership in the quest towards the highest possible ethical standards in medical education and research.
“Failure to take this opportunity may not only compromise the standing of the medical profession in society and the quality of medical research and patient care, but may also lead to the imposition of legislative controls governing disclosure and management of conflicts of interest.”
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.
The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.
CONTACT: Prof Martin Tattersall 0414 913 937
Ms Rachel Gleeson 02 9351 4312 / 0403 067 342
(Media Officer, University of Sydney)
