IOM Seeks Limits on Industry Influence on Patient Care (@ WSJ.com)
The Institute of Medicine recommended Tuesday that doctors, medical schools, professional groups and drug makers make far-reaching changes to prevent industry gifts and payments from influencing patient care and research.
The IOM, part of the National Academy of Sciences, proposed the elimination of many now-common practices. It said doctors, for example, shouldn't accept meals, trips or other gifts from companies. Nor should physicians participate in clinical trials if they have a financial interest in the outcome, or sign on to ghost-written articles.
The IOM also said professional societies shouldn't accept direct industry funding for the development of guidelines on treating patients. And it recommended that companies disclose payments publicly, and in a central place.
