Conflict of interest The boundary between "scientific information" and "advertising" is very thin

The Cipomo survey titled "Italian Oncologists and the Conflict of Interest" shows that 62% of doctors reported direct payments from the pharmaceutical industry in the last three years and 82% declare that most of his own oncological education is supported by industry

by Editors Aboutpharma Online – July 2, 2018 – AboutPharma

The British medical journal published the results of a research on the conflict of interest between oncologists and Big pharma. The survey was conducted by Cipomo, the Italian College of Medical Oncologists of Primary Hospitals). The objective of the book, entitled "Italian Oncologists and Conflict of Interest" was to verify the opinion
of the Italian medical oncologist regarding the possible implications arising from Coi in the field of medical education, badistance and scientific research. Most importantly, the economic relationship between doctors and the pharmaceutical industry has been deepened.

The results

321 Italian polluters participated in the survey, conducted anonymously between March and April 2017. This is 13% of medical oncologists. 62% of doctors, for example, reported direct payments from the pharmaceutical industry in the past three years. Not only that. 68% think that the majority of Italian oncologists have a Coi with the industry and 82% report that the bulk of their oncology training is supported by the industry.

The influence of the pharmaceutical industry

From this survey emerges a real urgency. Among Italian oncologists, the Coi is perceived as an important problem. It can influence costs, education, quality of care and science. Cipomo decided to take a stand, writing in an official document the recommendations to orient the world of oncology towards the principles of transparency and correction.

Cipomo position paper

The recommendations (which they can read here) include primarily the sphere of the research process, to be protected from the influence of commercial interests. More generally, the value of the interaction between industry and clinicians must be based on the transmission of useful information to improve the quality of care. And not at the prescription induction. The topic of the training is also discussed, which according to the position of Cipomo should not represent a marketing tool. Indeed. It must have the explicit goal of improving the quality of clinical choices

Scientific Societies

The paper continues to focus on the relationship between scientific societies and the outside influences of science. industry. In this case, the risk to avoid is that economic support becomes a form of promotion. Great importance is attached to the concept of transparency, able to provide the citizen with the tools to evaluate the services offered

Finally, another aspect to take into account is the cost of cancer drugs, which increases considerably, far more than the value results obtained. Some of these costs come from research. However, the pharmaceutical industry is spending even more to promote its products. "The document does not want to be a complaint but an invitation to raise awareness.The limit between" scientific information "and" advertising "is very thin.The pharmaceutical industry, says Mario Clerico, president of Cipomo, sponsors medical conferences and therefore contributes to a large part of its education.Therefore, clinicians need to be especially careful when choosing between different treatment options.The choice should be based on values ​​and evidence, not on convenience. "