P
atient
advocacy groups should avoid endorsing drugs without independent medical and scientific evidence, and should shy away from developing relationships with just one drug company, according to new guidelines.
The advice is set out in a new guide on health consumer group and pharmaceutical company relationships, to be launched by the Consumers
Health Forum and Medicines Australia this week.
Its release follows increased public scrutiny of pharmaceutical industry funding of consumer health organisation activities in recent years.
The guide encourages greater transparency and integrity in relationships between the two types of organisations.
It suggests consumer groups keep financial aspects of their relationships with pharmaceutical companies separate from governance activities, and that they establish relationships with more than one pharmaceutical company.
Consumers
Health Forum executive director...
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