European doctors support enhanced transparency in relations with healthcare industry

We welcome the debate at the European level to enhance transparency and set minimum standards of reporting on transfers of value between doctors and the healthcare industry. This has most recently been addressed in the European Parliament’s proposals in the revision of the EU general pharmaceutical legislation.

The relationship established between a patient and their doctor is based on mutual trust. The doctors’ decision relating to medicines, and other health technologies in the course of a treatment should in no way be induced by commercial factors. However, the collaboration between the medical profession and commercial companies involved in the healthcare sector is essential to patients and society as a whole.   

CPME President Dr Christiaan Keijzer said “In order to ensure that trust is maintained and that patients’ rights are respected, we need to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interests. We support that transparency registers should be accessible for the public in a consistent and regular manner. European doctors are committed to ensuring transparency in relations with the healthcare industry and we call on policymakers to match our commitment.”

At our recent General Assembly, we updated our guidelines on the transparency of relationships between doctors and healthcare industry to futureproof our position.