[Conflicts of interest]

Abstract

Aim: To define what a conflict of interest is in general, in the field of medicine and more specifically in the setting of Doctor Drug Company Relationship (DDCR).

Method: Bibliographic research in the grey literature via Google to refine definitions and Pubmed searching to evaluate impact and management of CoI.

Results: Doctors or researchers have a CoI (are in the situation of) if another interest (financial or not) is in competition with the primary goal of doctors and researchers in medicine which is to promote health. Such situations occur often (not only) during DDCR. Nevertheless DDCR are necessary and beneficial at least to the development of new therapeutic drugs. Although CoIs signals an inherent risk of biased practice publication or recommendation, this does not mean the misleading will happened. Literature search demonstrates that financial CoIs may change drug prescriptions and impact publication quality or objectivity. Specific policies are needed to prevent and limit CoIs impact. Disclosure, regulation and prohibition are the main directions of such policy.

Conclusion: DDCR are usually fruitful, at least in the domain of research to develop new efficient drugs. Limitation of CoIs relies on adapted policies discussed in this paper. Medical education, disclosure, ethics regulation and specific restrictions supported by our medical associations seem more relevant.

Keywords: Biais; Bias; Compagnies pharmaceutiques; Conflict of interest; Conflit d’intérêt; Drugs; Médicament; Patient safety; Pharmaceutical company; Sécurité du patient.