Medical specialists and pharmaceutical industry-sponsored research: a survey of the Australian experience

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterise research relationships between medical specialists and the pharmaceutical industry in Australia. DESIGN AND SETTING: Questionnaire survey of medical specialists listed in the Medical Directory of Australia and believed to be in active practice, conducted in 2002 and 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Details of medical specialists' involvement in pharmaceutical industry-sponsored research, and reports of potentially undesirable research outcomes. RESULTS: Of 2120 specialists approached, 823 (39%) responded. Participation in pharmaceutical industry-sponsored research was more commonly reported by those in salaried practice (49%) than those in private practice (33%); P < ..