Irish College of GPs to phase out pharma sponsorship

Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Kieran Harkin, co-founder of Access to Medicines, The Irish College of GPs

have voted in favour of phasing out pharmaceutical company’s sponsorship of educational events.

This intervention is based on a substantial body of research that shows a strong relationship between commercial bias or changes in prescribing behaviour related to industry-funded continued medical education programmes. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that patient care is guided by best practices and evidence, rather than influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.

We hope to continue this work and ensure other medical universities adopt similar policies.