Attitudes of physicians and public to pharmaceutical industry 'gifts'

Abstract

Background: Few studies have reported the attitudes of both individual doctors and members of the public toward the appropriateness of 'gifts' from pharmaceutical companies. Aims: To investigate the attitudes of both doctors and members of the public toward the appropriateness of receiving particular 'gifts' from pharmaceutical companies, and to consider whether public acceptability is a suitable criterion for determining the ethical appropriateness of 'gifts'. Methods: A survey questionnaire of medical specialists in Australia and a survey questionnaire of members of the public itemised 23 'gifts' (valued between AU$10 and AU$2500) and asked whether or not each was appropriate. Resu..