When we all get sick, we go to our doctor with great trust. We want to take the medicine the doctor gives us, follow the instructions, and get well soon. This trust is the foundation of the relationship between a doctor and a patient. But, have you ever thought that other factors besides the doctor's knowledge and experience can also affect the medicine you receive? Today we are talking about a somewhat sensitive topic, but one that we all need to be aware of. That is, the relationship between pharmaceutical companies, or as we call it, 'pharmaceutical companies', and doctors.
What is the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and the medical field?
Simply put, pharmaceutical companies are businesses. Their main goal is to make a profit by selling the drugs they manufacture. There is nothing wrong with that. However, these drugs are not sold like a regular item in a store. A doctor has to prescribe them. So, pharmaceutical companies use various methods to educate doctors about their drugs.
Imagine, when a new drug comes to the market, doctors want to know about its properties, how to use it, and side effects. This is what pharmaceutical companies do:
- Medical conferences and workshops are organized. Sometimes these are held in large hotels with very high-end facilities.
- Doctors are given scholarships or sponsorships to attend these conferences. Sometimes they even get the opportunity to go to conferences abroad.
- They meet with doctors through their medical representatives and explain new medications.
- They provide books, magazines, and sometimes even small gifts with information about medicines.
It's good that a doctor gains new knowledge from these things. However, a problem arises when these relationships go beyond limits.
Where does the problem begin? - "Conflict of Interest"
This is a somewhat complicated topic. In English, this is called (Conflict of Interest) . That is, the possibility of a person's professional decisions being influenced by personal benefits or relationships.
Simply put, the question may arise as to whether a doctor is prescribing a medication to you because it is the best and most appropriate medicine for your condition, or because he or she is receiving some benefit, gift, or favor from the company that makes that medication.
The most important thing we need to understand here is that most doctors work very ethically and with the best interests of the patient in mind. However, this current system can sometimes lead to some unintended bias. For example, let's say there are two drugs, A and B, that have similar properties. But if the company that makes drug B frequently sponsors conferences for the doctor, he might be a little biased towards prescribing drug B, right? This is the problem we are talking about.
To control this situation and provide more transparent services to patients, we need to change as a system. Various proposals have been put forward in the world in this regard.
| Proposal | Who should act for this? (Who Should Act?) |
|---|---|
| Establish common, industry-wide standards to regulate relationships between pharmaceutical companies and doctors. | Medical associations, pharmaceutical companies, and health authorities. |
| Develop and monitor clear policies regarding medical students and practicing physicians' participation in company-sponsored conferences. | Medical Colleges. |
| Teaching medical students to critically analyze drug promotion tactics and their truthfulness. | Medical schools. |
| Doctors should openly disclose any 'Conflict of Interest' situations they may encounter and consider whether their actions can be made public. | Every doctor and medical association. |
| Providing information in plain language, giving equal attention to both the benefits and side effects of medications. | Pharmaceutical companies. |
| Monitoring the accuracy of consumer-targeted pharmaceutical advertisements and educating patients about the purpose of those advertisements (increasing sales). | Doctors and medical associations. |
What can you do as a patient?
As patients, we have a role to play in changing this system. The most important thing is to take an active role in your health.
1. Don't be afraid to ask questions: Ask your doctor about a medication. Ask questions like, "Doctor, what are the side effects of this medication?", "Are there any alternatives?", "How long do I need to take this medication?" A good doctor will never hesitate to answer them.
2. Be open: If you have a question about the price of a medicine, talk about it. There may be another medicine that offers similar benefits but is cheaper.
3. Be careful with advertisements: You may have seen advertisements for certain vitamins and supplements on TV and in newspapers. Remember, the primary purpose of those advertisements is to sell. Before using anything, talk to your doctor to decide if it is really necessary for you and if it is safe.
4. Trust, but be informed: It's important to trust your doctor. It's also helpful to have a little understanding of how the healthcare system works.
Ultimately, the relationship between a doctor and a patient is a very valuable one. To strengthen that relationship, it is essential that the entire system operates with greater transparency.
Take-Home Message
- The relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies is complex. While providing knowledge about medicines is essential, it should not unduly influence the treatment given to the patient.
- Although most doctors act ethically, improving transparency in the system will further strengthen patient trust.
- As a patient, you have every right to ask questions, learn details, and speak openly with your doctor about your treatment.
- Always consult your doctor before making any medication or health decision. Don't base your decisions solely on advertisements or the words of others.
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