A Perspective on Commercial Relationships Between Ophthalmology and Industry

Abstract

elationships between physicians and industry including pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers are being closely scrutinized by the public and the media. These companies can contribute beneficially to patient outcomes by supporting research that improves eye care. However, ethical issues may arise that affect practicing ophthalmologists, researchers, academic faculty, and ophthalmologic organizations. These topics were discussed at a symposium sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society in May 2008. After this meeting, the council of the society developed this perspective to clarify some of the issues at the interface of industry and ophthalmology. The perspective is intended to provide some guidance to physicians, researchers, and professional societies and to enhance further dialogue.

Pharmaceutical Prescribing Privileges for Optometrists to Combat Childhood Myopia in Singapore: Public Health Policy Review and Analysis

“…Unlike Collaborative Prescribing where the co-management arrangements are typically within the same organisation, there will be a need to establish commercial contractual agreements under supplementary prescribing because optometrists and ophthalmologists do not usually practice within the same organisation. Hence, there may be potential concerns such as: (1) financial and ethical considerations, (2) possible conflict of interests, as commercial contractual agreements may lead to over-referrals [ 74 ], (3) reduced efficiency of the treatment process, and (4) increased treatment costs due to the extra oversight by ophthalmologists. These drawbacks may explain why supplementary prescribing is unpopular among non-medical prescribers in the UK [ 61 ].…”

Pharmaceutical Prescribing Privileges for Optometrists to Combat Childhood Myopia in Singapore: Public Health Policy Review and Analysis

“…Unlike Collaborative Prescribing where the co-management arrangements are typically within the same organisation, there will be a need to establish commercial contractual agreements under supplementary prescribing because optometrists and ophthalmologists do not usually practice within the same organisation. Hence, there may be potential concerns such as: (1) financial and ethical considerations, (2) possible conflict of interests, as commercial contractual agreements may lead to over-referrals [ 74 ], (3) reduced efficiency of the treatment process, and (4) increased treatment costs due to the extra oversight by ophthalmologists. These drawbacks may explain why supplementary prescribing is unpopular among non-medical prescribers in the UK [ 61 ].…”

OphthoPods: An Analysis of the Educational Content and Changes of Ophthalmology Podcasts

“…Such trends may reflect the uniquely interconnected, productive relationships spanning academics, private practice, and industry within the field. 33 CME eligibility and sponsorships, such as in the official podcasts of the AAO, American Journal of Ophthalmology, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Society of Retina Specialists, also support the legitimacy of ophthalmology podcasts as educational tools. 34 Almost all CME-eligible podcasts were active, and nearly a quarter of active podcasts received support from an academic entity.…”

Closing the Marketing Strategy-Tactics Gap: An Institutional Theory Analysis of Pharmaceutical Value Chain

“…For instance, internal documents pertaining to Merck's ADVANTAGE (Assessment of Differences between Vioxx and Naproxen to Ascertain Gastrointestinal Tolerability and Effectiveness) seeding trial revealed that Merck designed the study with a quest to engage future prescribers with Vioxx . Additionally, the appropriateness of physician membership in speakers' bureau and advisory boards and their role in surrogate selling have been questioned by a number of medical researchers (Brennan et al 2006 ;Angell 2008 ;Jampol et al 2009 ;Insel 2010 ). In a national survey of department chairs in the 125 accredited medical schools and 15 largest independent teaching hospitals, Campbell et al ( 2007 ) found that 27 % of department chairs surveyed had a consulting relationship with the industry and 14 % served on the speakers' bureau.…”

Pharmaceutical Prescribing Privileges for Optometrists to Combat Childhood Myopia in Singapore: Public Health Policy Review and Analysis

“…Unlike Collaborative Prescribing where the co-management arrangements are typically within the same organisation, there will be a need to establish commercial contractual agreements under supplementary prescribing because optometrists and ophthalmologists do not usually practice within the same organisation. Hence, there may be potential concerns such as: (1) financial and ethical considerations, (2) possible conflict of interests, as commercial contractual agreements may lead to over-referrals [ 74 ], (3) reduced efficiency of the treatment process, and (4) increased treatment costs due to the extra oversight by ophthalmologists. These drawbacks may explain why supplementary prescribing is unpopular among non-medical prescribers in the UK [ 61 ].…”

OphthoPods: An Analysis of the Educational Content and Changes of Ophthalmology Podcasts

“…Such trends may reflect the uniquely interconnected, productive relationships spanning academics, private practice, and industry within the field. 33 CME eligibility and sponsorships, such as in the official podcasts of the AAO, American Journal of Ophthalmology, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Society of Retina Specialists, also support the legitimacy of ophthalmology podcasts as educational tools. 34 Almost all CME-eligible podcasts were active, and nearly a quarter of active podcasts received support from an academic entity.…”

Closing the Marketing Strategy-Tactics Gap: An Institutional Theory Analysis of Pharmaceutical Value Chain

“…For instance, internal documents pertaining to Merck's ADVANTAGE (Assessment of Differences between Vioxx and Naproxen to Ascertain Gastrointestinal Tolerability and Effectiveness) seeding trial revealed that Merck designed the study with a quest to engage future prescribers with Vioxx . Additionally, the appropriateness of physician membership in speakers' bureau and advisory boards and their role in surrogate selling have been questioned by a number of medical researchers (Brennan et al 2006 ;Angell 2008 ;Jampol et al 2009 ;Insel 2010 ). In a national survey of department chairs in the 125 accredited medical schools and 15 largest independent teaching hospitals, Campbell et al ( 2007 ) found that 27 % of department chairs surveyed had a consulting relationship with the industry and 14 % served on the speakers' bureau.…”

Pharmaceutical Prescribing Privileges for Optometrists to Combat Childhood Myopia in Singapore: Public Health Policy Review and Analysis

“…Unlike Collaborative Prescribing where the co-management arrangements are typically within the same organisation, there will be a need to establish commercial contractual agreements under supplementary prescribing because optometrists and ophthalmologists do not usually practice within the same organisation. Hence, there may be potential concerns such as: (1) financial and ethical considerations, (2) possible conflict of interests, as commercial contractual agreements may lead to over-referrals [ 74 ], (3) reduced efficiency of the treatment process, and (4) increased treatment costs due to the extra oversight by ophthalmologists. These drawbacks may explain why supplementary prescribing is unpopular among non-medical prescribers in the UK [ 61 ].…”

OphthoPods: An Analysis of the Educational Content and Changes of Ophthalmology Podcasts

“…Such trends may reflect the uniquely interconnected, productive relationships spanning academics, private practice, and industry within the field. 33 CME eligibility and sponsorships, such as in the official podcasts of the AAO, American Journal of Ophthalmology, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Society of Retina Specialists, also support the legitimacy of ophthalmology podcasts as educational tools. 34 Almost all CME-eligible podcasts were active, and nearly a quarter of active podcasts received support from an academic entity.…”

Closing the Marketing Strategy-Tactics Gap: An Institutional Theory Analysis of Pharmaceutical Value Chain

“…For instance, internal documents pertaining to Merck's ADVANTAGE (Assessment of Differences between Vioxx and Naproxen to Ascertain Gastrointestinal Tolerability and Effectiveness) seeding trial revealed that Merck designed the study with a quest to engage future prescribers with Vioxx . Additionally, the appropriateness of physician membership in speakers' bureau and advisory boards and their role in surrogate selling have been questioned by a number of medical researchers (Brennan et al 2006 ;Angell 2008 ;Jampol et al 2009 ;Insel 2010 ). In a national survey of department chairs in the 125 accredited medical schools and 15 largest independent teaching hospitals, Campbell et al ( 2007 ) found that 27 % of department chairs surveyed had a consulting relationship with the industry and 14 % served on the speakers' bureau.…”