The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7330 p878
18/25 December 2004

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News summary

Pharmacists should distance themselves from industry

Nofreelunch, an international organisation that wants to break the hospitality and patronage-based relationship between health professionals and the pharmaceutical industry, is asking pharmacists to distance themselves from the industry.

Pharmacists, and other health professionals, are being asked to sign and display a pledge that they will not accept company gifts or hospitality and will not rely on medical information disseminated by drug companies.

A spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, commented: “Working in partnership benefits everyone — health care professionals, industry and most of all patients. Of course that relationship must not cross certain boundaries but we have a code of practice that is vigorously enforced.”

The Nofreelunch website can be accessed here