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Standards of Professionalism
Many groups have issued statements expressing
concern about appropriate interactions between health care companies
and physicians. All recognize that although this relationship
is both critical and essential, it has sometimes also been abused
by physicians and industry alike. The following groups have participated
in this important discussion.
The AAOS has provided guidance on the appropriate
relationship between physicians and industry in its Code of
Medical Ethics and Professionalism since the late 1980s.
In 2006, the AAOS developed Standards of Professionalism (SOPs)
on the Orthopaedist-Industry Conflicts of Interest. They were
adopted overwhelmingly by the Fellowship in 2007 and went into
effect January 2008.
Through the Food and Drug Administration,
the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Justice,
the government has also offered its views on the appropriate relationship
between physicians and industry. Read
more
AdvaMed is a trade association of manufacturers
of medical technologies, diagnostics, and device companies not
only in orthopaedics but in other disciplines of medicine as well.
AdvaMed is a leader in compliance, including ethical relationships
between industry and physicians. AdvaMed has developed the AdvaMed
Code of Ethics, which went into effect in January 2004.
The AdvaMed Code of Ethics was substantially revised
December 2008. The provisions of the Code of Ethics go
into effect July 1, 2009. Many orthopaedic implant manufactueres
adhere to the provisions of the AdvaMed Code.
Read the Revised
AdvaMed Code of Ethics
PhRMA represents the country's leading phyarmaceutical
research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing
medicines that allow patientes to live longer, healthier, and
more productive lives. PhRMA released its Code on Interactions
with Health Care Professionals in 2002.
PhRMA revised its Code of Ethics in July 2008. The revised
PhRMA Code went into effect January 1, 2009. Read the Revised
PhRMA Code of Ethics.
2008 Editorial Statement
The editors of numerous journals in orthopaedics are running
this or a similar editorial. As a group, we feel the issue of
transparency with patients about orthopaedic surgeons' relationships
with industry is complex and important, and every orthopaedic
surgeon should be familiar with the new AAOS Standards of Professionalism
on Orthopaedist-Industry Conflicts of Interest.
AAOS adopted Standards of Professionalism on Orthopaedic-Industry
Conflicts of Interest (Orthopaedist-Industry SOPs) on April
18, 2007. This brought the number of SOPs in the AAOS Professional
Compliance Program to six.
Read
this article.
The AAOS strongly encourages orthopaedic surgeons, health care
company representatives, and others involving in medical education
to read and understand the AAOS Standards of Professionalism,
AAOS Opinion on Ethics and Professionalism, the AdvaMed Code,
and similar documents involving the complex and potentially challenging
and rewarding relationships between health care companies and
health care professionals.
AAOS Standards of Professionalism: Orthopaedist-Industry Conflicts of Interest.
- The AdvaMed Code of Ethics
The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)
has established a Code of Ethics that govern AdvaMed
members' relationship with health care professionals, including
orthopaedic surgeons. This Code provides ethical
and legal standards that are critical to the medical device
industry's ability to continue its collaboration with health
care professionals. In addition to the code of ethics, the
document includes 43 frequently asked questions regarding
the AdvaMed Code of Ethics.
- The PhRMA Code of Interactions With Healthcare Professionals
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) established the PhRMA Code of Interactions With Healthcare Professionals to indicate that drug company relationships with healthcare professionals benefit patients and enhance the practice of medicine.
The PhRMA Code is based on the principle that the care of patients should be based, and should be perceived as being based, solely on each patient's medical needs and the healthcare professional's medical knowledge and experience.
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