Are the RCP looking for a longer spoon?

"When you sup with the Devil, use a long spoon."

-Medieval Proverb.

The UK Royal College of Physicians has set up a joint working party with the drug industry to try to create a better relationship between doctors and drug companies, so as to improve the care of patients.

The group, chaired by Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, is taking oral evidence from doctors and academics and representatives of the industry, medical journals, and regulators. It has also asked interested parties to submit written evidence by 31 March.

In a letter inviting submissions Dr Horton and Ian Gilmore, the college’s president, say: "There are barriers perceived to exist between the industry, the NHS and academic medicine that inhibit a truly dynamic and productive relationship between the key players, working in the best interests of patients.

"The Royal College of Physicians identified a need to look into this relationship and to examine in some detail the political, economic, commercial, organisational, professional and public barriers to creating an ideal relationship. The overwhelming principle is to improve patient care."

People wishing to contribute to the debate are asked to consider certain questions, such as what would be the nature of the ideal relationship between the drug industry, the NHS, and academic medicine, and how can doctors help to advance ethical and productive relations between the industry, the NHS, and academic medicine.

Here's the committee:

Dr Susan Bews President, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine
Mr Derek Calam RCP Patient and Carer network
Dr Stuart Dollow, Vice President and Medical DirectorGlaxoSmithKline UK Pharma
Dr Ahmed Elsharkawy SpR, gastroenterology and PhD researcher
Dr David Gillen Medical Director, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Professor Ian Gilmore President, RCP
Dr Felicity Harvey Head of Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry Group Department of Health
Dr Iona Heath General Practitioner
*Dr Richard Horton Editor in Chief, The Lancet
Dr Kate Lloyd Immediate past Medical Director, Pfizer
Dr Hugo Mascie Taylor Medical Director, St James’ Hospital, Leeds
Mr Hemant Patel President, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Professor Charles Pusey Renal Section, Division of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital
Mr Peter Stephens Vice President, Europe, IMS Health
Dr Richard Tiner Director of Medicine, ABPI
Dr Patrick Vallance GSK Research and Development
Dr Louise Wood Research and Development, Department of Health
Dr Susan Shepherd Secretary, RCP

* Chair

More details are at: www.rcplondon.ac.uk/wp/pharma