Drug companies are big investors in medical research and post-qualification training for doctors. A survey done by Mass General Hospital in Boston has put actual figures on the industry’s involvement.
Nearly two-thirds of heads of department from 140 medical school and teaching hospitals said they had some relationship with industry. Over a quarter acted as paid consultants and 1 in 10 sat on a board of directors.
Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical industry has a significant influence in the training of doctors. This influence will continue as long as medical schools and those organizations which plan post doctoral education course maintain close relationships with the drug industry. I have always felt that doctors need to be taught clinically relevant information as to how they can best help their patients and not propaganda on drugs.