Patient groups should disclose financial support

摘要

A survey of patient groups based in the US has revealed that seven of 29 groups received at least 20 per cent of their funding from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.Four of the seven groups were associated with conditions thought to be susceptible to disease mongering.The survey was featured as part of a special report on patient groups in the New Scientist last week (28 October,pl8)."In general," says New Scientist,"groups in our survey that received more than 20 per cent of their funding from industry did seem to be associated with conditions that affect a significant number of people,for which a specific therapy exists and which require long-term treatment,therefore creating the potential for substantial profit."