http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/list/21.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
That tense subject again rears its two-sided head in the pages of the British Medical Journal this weekend. Ray Moynihan, a visiting editor at BMJ, interviews a disgruntled ex-drug company sales rep, Kimberly Elliott, who makes candid comments on the role of key opinion leaders, - doctors “engaged by industry to advise on marketing and help boost sales of new medicines,” according to Moynihan.

Check out the BMJ article here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/336/7658/1402

The June 21st issue also features opposing commentary from two sources on what degree medicine and industry should overlap for a positive result. Charlie Buckwell of Complete Medical Group, a “communications agency” for drug companies, advocates the use of key opinion leaders because “there are appreciable benefits to healthcare professionals from interactions between industry and opinion leaders.” Giovanni A. Fava of the University of Bologna digs into the opposite trench. “Patients and society at large are harmed by these practices as a result of irrational prescribing, omission of safety issues (such as rofecoxib), and increased costs.”

What do you think? Are the interactions between doctors and drug companies transparent and responsible, or are they placing profit over public health?
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