How a GP Group Stopped Accepting Pharma Funding

Kieran Harkin, when proposing the motion, summarised the rationale with the phrase: ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch’- and asked attendees ‘what is the true cost of lunch and who is actually paying for it?’ We developed a fact sheet when proposing the motion to share with colleagues in advance of the AGM, highlighting key pieces of evidence. [...] The College stated that ‘Research in this area has overwhelmingly showed that clinicians are influenced by the pharmaceutical industry’s marketing strategies which have an impact on prescribing practises.’ The CEO of the College of Psychiatrists, Miriam Silke, provided invaluable insights to us in advance of the meeting, about how ceasing acceptance of pharmaceutical industry funding had changed t. [...] Timing played a role, we came to the college at a time of financial stability and there was anecdotal evidence that pharmaceutical industry funding for primary care was ‘drying up.’ Ultimately, 73% of attendees voting in favour of the motion. [...] There was a healthy discussion on the day but there was likely some awareness of the issues involved already as two of our working group members published an article in the ICGP magazine Forum about the impacts of industry interactions on GPs. [...] The move has already led to calls for organisations such as the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Infection Association to cease accepting funding from industry.