Conflict of Interests Between Doctors and Drug Companies - The entanglement between doctors and drug companies is creating controversy in both the public and academic worlds as it becomes clear that the integrity of medical research and the prescription habits of doctors are being influenced.

The close relationship between doctors and drug companies is attracting increasing public and academic scrutiny, as drug costs grow ever higher.

Despite evidence that information from drug company representatives is often overly positive, 80 percent to 95 percent of doctors see drug reps regularly. Many doctors also receive gifts from drug companies each year.

In the United States an estimated 80,000 drug company representatives, backed by more than $19 billion of industry's combined annual promotional budgets, are visiting doctors every day.

The industry has recently implemented a voluntary code to address relationships with health care professionals. However, many question the effectiveness of such codes considering that if a company flies 300 doctors to a golf resort, reimburses their costs, pays them to attend, and educates them about the company's latest drug, in order to train them to become members of the company's stable of paid speakers, the entire activity would be in compliance.

Further, many professional societies rely on industry sponsorship and their medical journals often rely on industry-funded research trials, advertisements and industry-sponsored supplements.

Currently, an estimated 60 percent of biomedical research and development in the United States is privately funded.

However, there is an abundance of strong evidence that industry-sponsored research tends to yield results that are favorable to sponsor much more often than non-industry studies.

The many conflicts of interest have led one expert to say that the medical profession is being bought by the pharmaceutical industry.

Moreover, many experts agree that the entanglement between drug companies and doctors is part of the reason for ever-increasing drug costs and part of the reason why attempts to control costs are undermined.

British Medical Journal May 31, 2003;326:1189-192 (Part 1, Full Text Article)

British Medical Journal May 312003;326:1193-1196 (Part 2, Full Text Article)

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It is encouraging to see that the drug companies’ far-reaching grasp is being exposed but frustrating that it has taken this long. If you haven't seen the signs around you, please take notice. Health costs are rising through the roof, and shortly we will be spending over $2 trillion dollars a year for health care in the U.S. It is safe to estimate that over three-fourths of this money is wasted on short-term fixes, primarily drugs and surgeries, which in no way address the long-term cause of the problem. If those funds were redirected to optimize food and stress concerns, we would have more than enough funds left over to help the more than 40 million uninsured Americans. Aside from the issue of compromised medical integrity that the close ties between doctors, researchers and drug companies causes, there is the major issue of regarding drugs as the solution to many medical problems--a view that is prevalent among many health care professionals. You can give yourself the best chance of avoiding drugs altogether by boosting your body’s natural defense--its immune system. You can start the process by looking into the nutrition plan and implementing an exercise program. Unlike drugs, which often result in adverse side effects, the only side effects this method will produce are increased energy, optimized weight and emotional wellness. Plus, you’ll likely save the money that would have been spent on drugs and trips to the doctor. Related Articles: Over Dose: The Case Against the Drug Companies Medical Research or Drug Company Secrets? Most Media Coverage of Drugs Highly Biased Drug Companies Engage in Illegal Sales Practices: U.S. Issues Warning Drug Review Process Doesn’t Protect Consumers