Efforts to limit pharmaceutical company support of educational activities for physicians are based on a faulty premise. According to the most recent data from health care information company IMS Health, 71% of prescriptions filled today are for generic drugs. This hardly supports allegations of undue influence in the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and physicians ("Cardiologists examine conflicts of interest with drugmakers," Life, April 1).
In reality, physicians' prescribing decisions are influenced by many other factors in the health care system. For example, medical plans strongly guide prescribing through formulary design and utilization-management strategies. The impact of that can be problematic. A study in Health Affairs found that nearly one-third of physicians infrequently discuss treatment options that are not covered by a patient's insurer. This can lead to under-use of needed medicines, poor health outcomes and higher long-term costs.
Unbiased physician education on treatment options is crucial to optimal patient care. Eliminating the ability of pharmaceutical companies to support such education strips the health care community of a valuable resource for improving clinical outcomes.
Pharmaceutical research companies are committed to respecting the independence of medical societies' decisions on the content of these educational programs, as reflected in the recently strengthened PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals. Among its provisions, the code states that company funding of continuing medical education should support programs that cover a range of treatment options. It urges companies to separate education grant-making from sales functions. And, it states that companies should not provide guidance to education providers regarding content or speakers.
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