In primary care, general practitioners relied heavily on evidence provided by manufacturers, mainly pharmaceutical companies.
The powerful influence of pharmaceutical companies on doctor's prescribing, on hospital purchasing, and on government policy is the most prominent example.
One therapeutic area that is particulary prone to an increased consumption of high-cost pharmaceuticals is oncology.
Such auditing is consistent with the standards followed by the pharmaceutical industry in the preparation of regulatory files.
Nurses perhaps need to grasp this opportunity to recognise the influences of the pharmaceutical industry, and reflect and evaluate the ethics of their actions.
Recently, legislation requiring presentation of economic evaluations for new pharmaceutical products was enacted.
The pharmaceutical industry currently relies on price discrimination across national markets.
All participating pharmacists received training in the provision of pharmaceutical care.
