Commercial support and the quandary of continuing medical education

Commercial funding is a major source of financial support for the continued development and conduct of continuing education activities for physicians. However, we are again beginning to see challenges about who really controls these activities. Questions are being raised about the ethical behavior of physicians, sponsors, and grantors as they relate to compliance with the Standards for Commercial Support and other related documents. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, grantors, providers, and physicians are challenged to help each other to comply with the intent, as well as the letter, of the documents. Without an immediate change, the cynicism of the public and the press may begin to drive outside forces to put into place and enforce policies that would be to the detriment of all interested parties.