Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 3 2014 | Page 17

6 industry policy Things to know about the MDs’ Relationships with Industry Policy A t its meeting in September, Council approved the Physicians’ Relationships with Industry: Practice, Education and Research policy following an external consultation. The policy recognizes that while industry has a valuable and legitimate role to play in the practice of medicine, its interests and responsibilities may diverge from the professional and legal obligations of physicians. As a result, physicians may find themselves facing ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest stemming from their relationships with industry. This policy is intended to assist physicians in understanding and managing their relationships with industry appropriately. The policy received much feedback during the consultation; more than 300 submissions were received, with at least 75% of the respondents being physicians. Some The policy: 1 2 3 Prohibits physicians from accepting personal gifts of any value from industry. Permits physicians to accept free drug samples, items that advance disease/treatment education (e.g., patient teaching aids), and modest meals (in specific circumstances) from industry. Requires physicians to critically evaluate information provided to them by industry, and not solely rely on it when making clinical decisions regarding patient care. of the feedback received during the consultation is reflected in the final product. For example, revisions were made to the policy to clarify that physicians are permitted to organize and/or present at educational events that do not have a formal organizing committee (for example, “drug dinners”) provided that certain expectations are met. “Receiving feedback on all draft policies is of enormous benefit to the final product,” said Dr. Marc Gabel, College President. “And on this particular issue, physician feedback was critical. We were able to craft a better policy because we received physicians’ thoughts on what is reasonable, what is doable and what is in the best interests of our patients.” Here are just some of the key expectations for this policy. 4 5 6 Sets out expectations for physicians related to CME/ CPD in their role as event organizers, presenters or attendees. The primary objective is to ensure that CME/CPD events are balanced, transparent, and independent of industry influence. Sets out expectations for physicians who sit on advisory or consultation boards. For example, physicians must not engage in any promotional activities on behalf of the company. Sets out expectations for physicians in relation to industry-sponsored clinical research. Physicians can only participate in research that is ethically defensible, scientifically valid, and follows relevant national guidelines. DIALOGUE • Issue 3, 2014 17