Proposed guidelines for housestaff interaction with pharmaceutical companies

The relationship between the medical profession and the pharmaceutical companies is complex, since industry depends on physicians for research and development, and for sales of its products. As a result, physician interactions with industry could undermine the patient-centered medical ethic, and jeopardize the physician-patient relationship. There is evidence that physicians are influenced by their encounters with the pharmaceutical industry. Particularly troubling is the increasing interaction of pharmaceutical companies and housestaff through detailing and educational support. Several studies have documented the pervasiveness of such relationships in training programs. Although professional bodies have developed criteria to help physicians in their dealings with the pharmaceutical industry, no principles have yet been formulated to address the unique aspects of resident contact with pharmaceutical companies. Guidelines designed to answer this need are proposed in this article.