This book discusses the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the practice of medicine, and the observed and potential pitfalls of such partnerships. It argues that the pharmaceutical industry has become indispensable to many of the activities of the medical profession across the pharmaceutical product lifecycle, and examines the regulatory, ethical, professional and institutional difficulties that arise from these interactions.

With data drawn from over 80 qualitative accounts from medical, pharmaceutical, regulatory and healthcare professionals, this book uses both Hungary and the Netherlands as case studies to demonstrate the potential problem of undue pharmaceutical industry influence within the relationships fostered with the profession of medicine. Chapters systematically describe the lifecycle of a pharmaceutical product from research to distribution, demonstrating the interdependency of industry and medicine. Arguing that the medical profession should be a buffer between the pharmaceutical industry interests and patient interests, the book explores how undue industry influence weakens the ability of the medical profession to do so. Using the theory of institutional corruption, the book aims to analyze how conflict of interest and the weakening of institutional imperatives is a result of institutional interactions rather than individual actions. Appropriate for students and researchers of the pharmaceutical industry, corporate corruption, and those working in NGOs and policy making, this unique volume is an comprehensive look at the complex relationship between medicine and pharmacy.

Analyzes the interdependence of industry and medicine by examining the life cycle of a pharmaceutical product Case studies from Hungary and the Netherlands illustrate the global problem of undue industry influence on medical practice, occurring not only in privatized healthcare environments Includes qualitative accounts from professionals in medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry, drawing on personal experiences and descriptions

Autorentext
Anna Laskai completed her PhD in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctoral Program, at the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) and the Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary).

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Industry Corruption of Medical Knowledge Production.- 3. Between Knowledge Production and Knowledge Interpretation.- 4. Interpreting Science into Practice: Institutional corruption of medical knowledge interpretation.- 5. Institutional Corruption of Medical Knowledge Application.- 6. Conclusion. -7. Appendix 1: Methodological audit trail.- 8. Appendix 2: Regulatory enumeration.