MPs investigate pharmaceutical industry’s influence on DoH
Members of Parliament began hearings this week to investigate the influence the pharmaceutical industry is able to exert over the Department of Health (PJ, 26 June, p791).
The inquiry began on 9 September, after The Journal went to press, with
officials from the DoH and the Department of Trade and Industry being
questioned by the House of Commons Health Select Committee.
The committee has already taken written evidence on the industry’s
influence over innovation, medical research, regulatory review, product
evaluation and information, in-service training and education.
Richard Barker, director-general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry, said: “The UK-based industry makes an enormous contribution
to Britain’s health and wealth and it would be reprehensible if
we were not in constant communication with everyone involved in the health
care process, from the regulators to the NHS on the ground and from politicians
to patients. However, there is always room from improvement and the industry
hopes that the select committee will encourage a positive dialogue to
identify ways in which we can all improve this two-way partnership.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader