Pharmaceutical companies often sponsor doctors for overseas conferences, while doctors in turn will use their products for their patients. — AMITA SEVELLARAJAPharmaceutical companies need doctors to prescribe their products, and doctors need the financial assistance and marketing capabilities of pharmaceutical companies.Relationship between Doctors and the Pharmaceutical industry
There is always something attached to such sponsorship, and that is usage of their products over their competitors.Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies are often big sponsors of international medical conferences where they can show off their latest products to the medical fraternity. — Photos: FilepicWhen I was young, I yearned to attend international conferences, but could never afford the expenses involved.
Then I started an IVF centre in 1997, and one of the companies selling fertility hormones thought I would be a good future key opinion leader. I was happy to be associated with one and was able to secure sponsorship at least once every year to travel to different parts of Europe to attend IVF conferences.
I received sponsorship from this company to travel to different parts of he world to learn laparoscopic surgery.However, when I bought a 3D camera system from another company, the first company dropped me as their key opinion leader.Doctors selected as key opinion leaders by pharmaceutical and medical devices companies can burnish their reputation as experts in their field by speaking at conferences and media briefings.