Doctors, Drug Companies, and Gifts

Abstract

The authors analyze the complex practical and ethical issues surrounding the phenomenon of gift giving by drug companies to physicians. They consider the ethical implications of the practice, pointing out that whenever a doctor accepts a gift from a pharmaceutical firm or its representative, an implicit relationship between the recipient and the giver is established. Inherent in this relationship is an obligation to respond to the gift; this obligation may conflict with the physician's obligations toward patients, and even may affect the physician's character. Chren, et al. propose that American medical organizations adopt statements about the issues raised by drug company gifts, and conclude with a discussion of five items these statements might cover. (KIE abstract)