AstraZenica has agreed to pay $520m to settle allegations that it had marketed quetiapine for unapproved off-label uses. AstraZenica denied wrongdoing but signed the civil settlement with the US Department of Justice. AstraZenica was charged with the off-label advertising to doctors for aggression, Alzheimer’s, anger management, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disease, dementia, depression, mood disorders, PTSD and sleeplessness.
BMJ 2010; 340: c2380
The EU’s environment and public health committee is backing moves to tackle criminals exploiting gaps in current legislation. The new measures are likely to be approved by parliament in July and then will need to be approved by the 27 EU governments.
BMJ 2010; 340:c2425
New BMA guidance advises that medical students should not accept gifts from pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical Marketing and Medical Students warns that medical students may cope less well with marketing techniques than qualified doctors. It also encourages medical students to develop critical appraisal skills. Read the full guidance at www.bma.org.uk/education.
The US council of Medical Specialty Societies is calling on all medical societies to sign a code of ethics that would set standards for their relations with drug companies. 13 of the council’s 32 member societies have already signed up.
BMJ 2010;340:c2246
EU law is not contravened by NHS schemes that offer financial incentives to prescribe cheaper generic drugs. The judges ruled that NHS schemes are compatible with law as doctors are obliged to prescribe in patients best interests and therefore will not be swayed by financial incentives.
BMJ 2010;340:c2232
A free trade agreement is being negotiated between India and the EU which could restrict access to generic drugs in the developing world. MSF outlines that India is the source of 80% of antiretrovirals in developing countries. The draft agreement would strengthen intellectual property and enforcement, making access to affordable ARVs much more difficult.
BMJ 2010;340:c2309
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