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Medical Students Have Substantial Exposure To Pharmaceutical Industry Marketing

Discussion in 'Pharmacy' started by Egyptian Doctor, Oct 20, 2011.

  1. Egyptian Doctor

    Egyptian Doctor Moderator Verified Doctor

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    Medical students are commonly exposed to pharmaceutical marketing in the USA.
    This exposure is considerable even during their preclinical studies. Researchers
    from the Harvard Medical School explain in the journal PLoS Medicine that
    students have positive attitudes to their contact with pharmaceutical companies
    - they tend not to think that their exposure might undermine their training and
    ability to subsequently do their job properly.

    Study leaders, Kirsten
    Austad and Aaron S. Kesselheim believe that educational strategies for medical
    students regarding their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry should
    directly address commonly-help myths about the effects of targeted
    marketing.

    They evaluated all published studies on pharmaceutical
    marketing targeted at medical students and gathered data from 9,850 students
    from 76 different medical schools.

    The researchers wrote that the
    majority of medical students were involved in some form of interaction with drug
    companies. This contact grew with nearly 90% of clinical students receiving
    educational materials from the industry.

    The majority of students felt it
    was OK to receive gifts from pharmaceutical companies. They cited financial
    hardship, plus the fact that most students studying other subjects also received
    and accepted presents, among their reasons to justify entitlement to such
    gifts.

    Nearly two-thirds of the medical students said they were in no way
    influenced or affected by bias induced by interactions with sales reps, gifts or
    promotional materials. There was no consensus among them on whether
    doctor-industry interactions should be controlled by either the government or
    medical schools.

    The authors believe that better education on
    doctor-industry relationships, as well as institutions pushing for reforms may
    help achieve an environment which is good for the student and medicine in
    general.

    They authors added:
    "Given the potential for educational and institutional messages
    to be counteracted by the hidden curriculum, changes should be directed at
    faculty and residents who serve as role models for medical
    students."


    They concluded:
    "These changes can help move medical education a step closer to
    two important goals: the cultivation of strong professional values, as well as
    the promotion of a respect for scientific principles and critical review of
    evidence that will later inform clinical decision-making and prescribing
    practices."

    Source : Medical Students Have Substantial Exposure To Pharmaceutical Industry Marketing
     

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