VIEWPOINT
HCP disclosure: A false sense of transparency?
the media were quick to run industry cannot stand alone in this data. When that happens, the
Sheryl Williams their own searches and “out” the educating the public about the media and public will be able to
Vice president, named physicians even further scope of the relationship and how compare and contrast the data
corporate & public by running their names and the it benefits their care. the silence from each company and track
affairs, Cephalon amount of their remuneration of our partners only strengthens an hCP across companies.
for the local community to see. our critic’s position. it is too early to tell how these
What was clear from the cov- there is no doubt that these online disclosure initiatives will
erage and the response is that postings will continue to generate affect the industry and its rela-
CritiCs of the industry the media and the public are
believe that our relationships confused about what the data
with healthcare professionals means. After all, how transparent How transparent is information when
taint their objectivity and result is information when the people the people reading it have no base
in overuse of branded drugs. reading it have no knowledge
some also believe that online base from which to understand from which to understand the info?
postings of company payments the information? if the pub-
to healthcare professionals will lic doesn’t understand how interest until such time that all tionships with hCPs or whether
lead many to reconsider their medicines are developed and companies have posted similar the result will be an improvement
relationships with the industry. approved or who is really deter- information and there is consis- in the public’s trust in the indus-
eli Lilly and Merck are the first mining whether they receive a tency in the information posted. try. What is clear is that we must
companies to post their financial treatment, how can they begin to several more companies are help our companies develop the
relationships on their company understand their hCP’s relation- expected to post similar infor- context for understanding this
websites. Although the content ship with the industry? mation in early 2010. in addition, information and work closer with
of those postings differed, the the industry’s relationship pending healthcare reform now both our healthcare professional
reactions to these postings were with hCPs is a partnership and incorporates the Physicians Pay- and patient partners to drive a
similar and will allow companies it is time for all of the partners ments sunshine Act, which may better understanding of the value
that follow to better prepare. to stand up and be counted. the create one national standard for of these relationships.
Building effective partnerships that deliver results
target audience