Letters
Ethics
Volume 195 - Issue 3

Conflicts of interest: a review of institutional policy in Australian medical schools

Authors:  Paul R Mason and Martin Tattersall

Med J Aust 2011; 195 (3): 156. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03249.x
Published online: 1 August 2011
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In reply: The medical community in Australia regulates itself through various non-binding codes and guidelines, but these have not been shown to reduce industry influence on doctors or medical students. In contrast, the existence of institutional policies can limit the influence of industry, resulting in medical students and doctors who are less influenced by industry marketing.1,2

University conflict-of-interest (COI) policies must reflect the context in which they exist, but it is unlikely that a general university policy covering all faculties could address the specific challenges presented by medical student education. Policy development, while difficult, is possible, and the University of Melbourne is scheduled to complete a policy framework covering staff and students in health-related degrees this year.

Arguably, it was the failure of the medical profession in the United States to self-regulate that led to the legislative changes that stimulated the recent COI policy advances in US medical schools. This could also occur in Australia.

Despite the logistical difficulties of developing effective self-regulation within medical schools, there are increasing societal expectations that COI be dealt with effectively. If we ignore this sentiment, we risk the imposition of perhaps excessive and punitive legislation. Medical schools should embrace their influential position, and act now to demonstrate their leadership.

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