Patient Organizations and Pharmaceutical Funding Transparency
Author Information
Author(s): Ball Douglas E, Tisocki Klara, Herxheimer Andrew
Primary Institution: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University
Hypothesis
How transparent are patient organizations about their funding from pharmaceutical companies?
Conclusion
Patient organization websites do not provide enough information for visitors to assess whether a conflict of interest with Pharma exists.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 4 out of 69 websites stated advertising and conflict of interest policies.
- 54% of sites included an annual report, but financial reporting varied substantially.
- 45% of organizations declared Pharma funding on their website.
Takeaway
This study looked at how clear patient organizations are about where they get their money, especially from drug companies. It found that many don't share enough information.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey of 69 national and international patient organizations was conducted to assess their websites for transparency regarding pharmaceutical funding.
Potential Biases
Patient organizations may be influenced by pharmaceutical funding, compromising their independence.
Limitations
The study only included major patient organizations with websites, potentially missing smaller groups without an online presence.
Participant Demographics
Patient organizations from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and South Africa covering various health conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website