scholarly journals Pharmaceutical Industry Funding of Health Consumer Groups in Australia: A Cross-sectional Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Fabbri ◽  
Swestika Swandari ◽  
Edith Lau ◽  
Agnes Vitry ◽  
Barbara Mintzes
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ◽  
Health Consumer ◽  
Consumer Organizations ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Relationships between consumer organizations and pharmaceutical manufacturers are the focus of transparency efforts in some jurisdictions, including Australia. This study describes the frequency and nature of industry sponsorship of Australian health consumer organizations and examines the link between sponsorship of the most highly funded organizations and manufacturers’ requests for public reimbursement of products for related health conditions. We downloaded 130 transparency reports covering the period January 2013 to December 2016 from the website of Medicines Australia and carried out a descriptive analysis. For the most heavily funded organizations and their sponsors, we examined Public Summary Documents of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to identify relevant products under consideration for public reimbursement over the study period. Thirty-four pharmaceutical companies provided 1,482 sponsorships to 230 organizations, spending a total of AU$34,507,810. The top clinical areas in terms of amount of funding received were cancer, eye health, and nervous system disorders. The sponsors of the most highly funded groups were companies that in most cases had drugs under review for public reimbursement for conditions covered by these organizations. Interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and consumer organizations are common and require careful management to prevent biases that may favor sponsors’ interests above those of patients and the public.

How do health consumer organisations in Australia manage pharmaceutical industry sponsorship? A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith Lau ◽  
Alice Fabbri ◽  
Barbara Mintzes
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Trade Association ◽  
Corporate Sponsorship ◽  
Undue Influence ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Consumer ◽  
Financial Transparency ◽  
Consumer Organisations ◽  
Corporate Funding

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate how health consumer organisations manage their relationships with the pharmaceutical industry in Australia. Methods We identified 230 health consumer organisations that received pharmaceutical industry support from 2013 to 2016 according to reports published by Medicines Australia, the industry trade association. A random sample of 133 organisations was selected and their websites assessed for financial transparency, policies governing corporate sponsorship and evidence of potential industry influence. Results In all, 130 of the 133 organisations evaluated received industry funding. Of these 130, 68 (52.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 43.4–61.1%) disclosed this funding. Nearly all (67; 98.5%) reported the identity of their industry donors, followed by uses (52.9%), amount (13.2%) and proportion of income from industry (4.4%). Less than one-fifth (24/133; 18.0%; 95% CI 11.9–25.6%) had publicly available policies on corporate sponsorship. Six organisations (7.2%; 95% CI 2.7–15.1%) had board members that were currently or previously employed by pharmaceutical companies, and 49 (36.8%; 95% CI 28.6–45.6%) had company logos, web links or advertisements on their websites. Conclusion Industry-funded health consumer organisations in Australia have low transparency when reporting industry funding and few have policies governing corporate sponsorship. Relationships between health consumer organisations and the industry require effective actions to minimise the risks of undue influence. What is known about this topic? Pharmaceutical industry funding of health consumer organisations is common in the US and Europe, yet only a minority of such organisations publicly disclose this funding and have policies regulating their relationships with industry. What does this paper add? Industry-funded health consumer organisations in Australia have inadequate financial transparency and rarely have policies addressing corporate funding. Organisations that have received more industry funding are more likely to report it publicly. What are the implications for practitioners? Robust policies addressing corporate sponsorship and increased transparency are needed to maintain the independence of health consumer organisations. Governments may also consider regulating non-profit organisations to ensure public reporting of funding sources.

scholarly journals Association Between Conflicts of Interest and Authors’ Positions on Harms of Varenicline: a Cross-Sectional Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Fabbri ◽  
Camilla Hansen Nejstgaard ◽  
Quinn Grundy ◽  
Lisa Bero ◽  
Adam G. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Drug Safety ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Media Attention ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated the relationship between industry funding/conflicts of interest and authors’ positions in opinion pieces on drug safety. Harmful effects of varenicline, a treatment for smoking cessation, have been highly contested. Objective To examine the association between pharmaceutical industry funding/authors’ financial conflicts of interest and position on varenicline in opinion articles, especially in relation to the minimization of harms; to assess whether opinion pieces on drug safety issues written by authors with conflicts of interest are more frequently cited in the news or social media. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Participants English language opinion pieces and narrative reviews about varenicline published between May 2006 and February 2019. Main Measures Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals; the Mann-Whitney two-sample statistic was used to test for differences in Altmetric scores, a measure of media attention. Key Results Of the 221 included articles, 30.3% (67) disclosed the funding source and 62.9% (139) disclosed authors’ conflicts of interest. Authors of opinion pieces on varenicline who reported financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry (as a conflict of interest or funding source) were more likely to minimise the cardiovascular and psychiatric risk of varenicline compared to those without conflicts of interest or industry funding (OR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.32 to 12.16 for cardiovascular risk; OR: 8.51; 95% CI: 3.79 to 19.11 for psychiatric risk). These associations persisted in sensitivity analyses. No statistically significant difference in Altmetric score was found between articles with (mean 15.83, median 3) and without (mean 11.90, median 1) conflicts of interest, indicating similar media attention (p-value=0.11). Conclusions We found that authors with financial ties to drug companies were more likely to publish opinion pieces that minimised harms of varenicline. These results raise questions about journals’ editorial policies to accept reviews of treatments from authors with financial relationships with manufacturers.

scholarly journals Homoprejudiced violence among Chinese men who have sex with men: A cross-sectional analysis in Guangzhou, China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Eileen Yang ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Huifang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Marriage Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cyber Aggression ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Background Homoprejudiced violence, defined as physical, verbal, psychological and cyber aggression against others because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, is an important public health issue. Most homoprejudiced violence research has been conducted in high-income countries. This study aimed to examine the experience and perpetration of homoprejudiced violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou, China. Methods MSM in a large Chinese city, Guangzhou, completed an online survey instrument that was distributed through community-based organizations. Descriptive analysis was conducted to describe the sample characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analyses, controlling for age, residence, occupation, heterosexual marriage, education and income, were carried out to explore associated factors. Results A total of 777 responses were analyzed and most (64.9%) were under the age of 30. Three-hundred-ninety-nine (51.4%) reported experiencing homoprejudiced violence, while 205 (25.9%) reported initiating homoprejudiced violence against others. Compared to respondents who self-identified as gay, respondents who were heterosexual were 0.6 times (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) as likely to have experienced homoprejudiced violence, whereas those who were unsure about their sexual orientation were 2.6 times (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.5) more likely to have experienced homoprejudiced violence before. Furthermore, a strong association (AOR=2,4. 95% CI: 1.6-3.5) was identified between experiencing homoprejudiced violence and initiating violence. MSM who had disclosed their sexual orientation to people other than their partners were more likely to have experienced homoprejudiced violence (AOR=1.8, 95% CI:1.3-2.5). Conclusions These findings suggest the importance of research and the implementation of interventions focused on preventing and mitigating the effects of homoprejudiced violence affecting MSM in China.

scholarly journals 537 AGE, FRAILTY AND COMORBIDITY IN COVID-19 INPATIENTS 65 AND OLDER

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii14-ii18
Author(s):  
N Obiechina ◽  
A Michael ◽  
R R A Khan ◽  
M Ali ◽  
M Zainudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Charlson Comorbidity Index ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Comorbidity Index ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract Introduction Higher incidence of COVID-19 and poorer outcomes have been shown to be associated with age, frailty and comorbidity. Older people have more risk of severe COVID 19; hospitalization, ITU admission, ventilation and mortality. Aim To assess the correlation between age, frailty and comorbidity in COVID-19 inpatients 65 years and older. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was carried out on COVID 19 inpatients 65 and older in a UK district general hospital. Patients with no microbiological evidence of COVID-19 and patients with incomplete data were excluded from the study. Demographic data, frailty score and comorbidity index were extracted from the electronic records of patients. SPSS 27 statistical software was used to perform descriptive analysis and linear regression coefficient. Results 357 COVID-19 patients 65 and over were assessed; 207 males and 150 females. Mean age was 81.9 +/− 9.31. Frailty scores were measured using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and comorbidity was calculated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). There was positive correlation between age and Clinical Frailty Scale (r=. 436; p<. 001), between age and Charlson Comorbidity Index (r=. 448; p<. 001, and between frailty and comorbidity (r=. 429; p<. 001). Conclusion In COVID-19 inpatients 65 and older, there was positive correlation between age and Clinical Frailty Scale, between age and Charlson Comorbidity Index and between frailty and comorbidity. More studies are needed to explore the interaction between age, frailty and comorbidity and COVID 19 morbidity and mortality.

Distribution of male and female procedural and surgical specialists in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 235
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Turtle ◽  
Anna Vnuk ◽  
Vivian Isaac
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
General Surgery ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Medical School Graduation ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectiveThis study examined the distribution of the sexes across Australian medical procedural specialties in 2017 and investigated the proportion of currently registered female specialists based on their graduation date from 1969 to 2008. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of current Australian procedural and surgical specialists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency as of January 2017 was undertaken. Participants included 4851 surgical specialists (594 female, 4257 male) and 14948 specialists in specialties with high levels of procedural clinical work (4418 female, 10530 male). The number of male and female specialists across each procedural specialty and the medical school graduation date of current female specialists were analysed. ResultsIn 2017, female fellows represented only one in 10 surgeons and three in 10 procedural specialists. All surgical specialties are underrepresented by female specialists. Cardiology is least represented by female practitioners (one in 10), followed by intensive care and ophthalmology (two in 10). General surgery, otolaryngology and urology saw more female specialists with graduation dates between 1983 and 2003 compared with the other surgical specialties. ConclusionThe number of female practitioners registered as specialists is increasing, but they continue to be underrepresented at specialist level across many procedural and surgical specialties. What is known about the topic?Although the number of female students entering medical school now outnumbers that of males, female practitioners remain underrepresented at the specialist level. What does this paper add?Surgery continues to be underrepresented by female specialists, but general surgery, otolaryngology and urology have shown increases in females reaching specialist level. All procedural specialties have shown increasing numbers of female practitioners reaching the specialist level. What are the implications for practitioners?All surgical specialties and nearly all procedural specialties need to adopt evidence-based practices to make their training programs both appealing and sustainable to female trainees in order to work towards achieving gender parity.

Industry Involvement in Otolaryngology: Updates from the 2017 Open Payments Database

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Morse ◽  
Elisa Berson ◽  
Saral Mehra
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
The West ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Compensation ◽  
Cross Sectional Analysis ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Open Payments

Objective To characterize drug and device industry payments to otolaryngologists in 2017 and compare them with payments from 2014 to 2016. Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Setting 2017 Open Payments Database. Subjects and Methods We identified otolaryngologists in the Open Payments Database receiving nonresearch industry payments in 2017. We determined the total number and value of payments and the mean and median payments per compensated otolaryngologist. We characterized payments by census region, nature of payment, and sponsor subspecialty. Results A total of 8131 otolaryngologists received 66,414 payments totaling to $11.2 million in industry compensation in 2017. This is decreased from $14.5 million in 2016. The mean and median payment per compensated otolaryngologist was $1383 ($10,459) and $159 ($64-$420), respectively. Of the total compensation, 85% was received by the top 10th percentile of otolaryngologists. Speaking fees accounted for $3.1 million (28% of total payments), and food and beverage was the most common payment type (57,691 payments; 87%). Consulting fees decreased by $1 million from 2016 to 2017, and ownership interests decreased by $1.2 million from 2016 to 2017. The south had the highest total compensation value ($4.2 million), while the west had the highest mean payment value ($1561). Rhinology accounted for the highest proportion of payments of all otolaryngology subspecialties at $3.9 million (34%). Conclusion Industry payments to otolaryngologists decreased to $11.2 million in 2017 from $14.5 million in 2016. Much of the decrease can be attributed to decreases in consulting fees and ownership payments. It is important that otolaryngologists remain aware of changes in industry funding with each release of the Open Payments Database.

scholarly journals Exploration of Knowledge of Tuberculosis Patients Regarding their Disease in Quetta, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
Noman Ul Haq ◽  
Aqeel Nasim ◽  
Palwasha Kakar
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Rural Residency ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Background: Knowledge of tuberculosis is very important for the patients. Objective: This study was aimed to assess and explore the knowledge of TB patients regarding their diseases in Quetta, Pakistan. Methodology: This questionnaire based, cross sectional analysis was conducted in Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital, Quetta with in all TB patients. Knowledge was assessed by using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire containing 22 disease related questions. Convenience sampling technique was used for data collection. Descriptive analysis was used to demonstrate the characteristics of the study population. Result: Mean age of respondents was 40.99±18.10. Study was dominated by 168 (60.00%) of females. Two hundred (71.40%) were married. One hundred sixteen (41.40%) had no any education. One hundred sixty-eight (60.00%) were Pashtun. One hundred thirty-two (47.10%) having income less than 10000 PKR and ranges between 10000 to 18000 PKR respectively. One hundred fifty-six (55.70%) were having rural residency. One hundred fifty-six (58.10%) having no any co-morbidity. Mean score of knowledge was 11.23±3.616. Conclusion: Knowledge is a key factor in understanding any particular disease. If the level of knowledge is low in some or all parts of the disease, it will actually affect the patient. It can be concluded that there is a need to raise awareness of TB symptoms, mode of transmission, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease through health education. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(2):78-83

scholarly journals Pharmaceutical payments to certified oncology specialists in Japan in 2016: a retrospective observational cross-sectional analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e028805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiko Ozaki ◽  
Hiroaki Saito ◽  
Yosuke Onoue ◽  
Toyoaki Sawano ◽  
Yuki Shimada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Society ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ◽  
Cancer Specialists ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectiveThis study investigated payments made by pharmaceutical companies to oncology specialists in Japan, what the payments were for and whether the receipt of such payments contravened any conflict of interest (COI) regulations.Design, setting and participantsPayment data to physicians, as reported by all pharmaceutical companies belonging to the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, were retrospectively extracted for 2016. Of the named individual recipients of payments, all certified oncologists were identified, using certification data from the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO). The individual specialisations of each of the oncologists was also identified.OutcomePayments to individual cancer specialists and what they were for were identified. Factors associated with receipt of higher value payments and payment flows to specialties were determined. Companies selling oncology drugs with annual sales of ≥5 billion yen (£33.9 million, €40.2 million and $46.0 million) (high revenue-generating drugs) were identified.ResultsIn total, 59 companies made at least one payment to oncologists. Of the 1080 oncology specialists identified, 763 (70.6%) received at least one payment, while 317 received no payment. Of the 763, some 142 (13.1%) receiving at least 1 million yen (£6,800, €8,000 and $9200) accounted for 71.5% of the total. After adjustment of covariates, working for university hospitals and cancer hospitals and male gender were key factors associated with larger monetary payments. Payments preferentially targeted on cancer specialties using high revenue-generating drugs. The JSMO has its own COI policy for its members, but the policy did not mention any specific guidelines for certified oncology specialists.ConclusionFinancial relationships were identified and quantified between pharmaceutical companies and oncology specialists, but the extent and worth varied significantly. Given the frequency and amounts of money involved in such linkages, it would be beneficial for specific COI regulations to be developed and policed for oncologists.

scholarly journals Pharmaceutical industry funding of events for healthcare professionals on non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in Australia: an observational study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e030253
Author(s):  
Behrad Behdarvand ◽  
Emily A Karanges ◽  
Lisa Bero
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Independent Information ◽  
Substantial Investment ◽  
Nature Frequency

ObjectivesTo describe the nature, frequency and content of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC)-related events for healthcare professionals sponsored by the manufacturers of the NOACs in Australia. A secondary objective is to compare these data to the rate of dispensing of the NOACs in Australia.Design and settingThis cross-sectional study examined consolidated data from publicly available Australian pharmaceutical industry transparency reports from October 2011 to September 2015 on NOAC-related educational events. Data from April 2011 to June 2016 on NOAC dispensing, subsidised under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), were obtained from the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.Main outcome measuresCharacteristics of NOAC-related educational events including costs (in Australian dollars, $A), numbers of events, information on healthcare professional attendees and content of events; and NOAC dispensing rates.ResultsDuring the study period, there were 2797 NOAC-related events, costing manufacturers a total of $A10 578 745. Total expenditure for meals and beverages at all events was $A4 238 962. Events were predominantly attended by general practitioners (42%, 1174/2797), cardiologists (35%, 977/2797) and haematologists (23%, 635/2797). About 48% (1347/2797) of events were held in non-clinical settings, mainly restaurants, bars and cafes. Around 55% (1551/2797) of events consisted of either conferences, meetings or seminars. The analysis of the content presented at two events detected promotion of NOACs for unapproved indications, an emphasis on a favourable benefit/harm profile, and that all speakers had close ties with the manufacturers of the NOACs. Following PBS listings relevant to each NOAC, the numbers of events related to that NOAC and the prescribing of that NOAC increased.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the substantial investment in NOAC-related events made by four pharmaceutical companies had a promotional purpose. Healthcare professionals should seek independent information on newly subsidised medicines from, for example, government agencies or drug bulletins.

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