New Guidelines for ethical relationships

The 4^th edition of the Guidelines for ethical relationships between physicians and industry are now available. These voluntary guidelines, developed by the RACP Ethics Committee, revise previous editions of the guidelines and seek to support health professionals in identifying, assessing and managing conflicts of interest.

It is essential that physicians have the tools to prevent, identify and manage conflicts of interest if they arise to ensure that we always act in a patient’s best interests. These guidelines are designed to help physicians make reflective, well-informed, judgements and encourage ethical relationships between health professionals and industry.

While some relations with industry are inescapable or even desirable, the guidelines explore interactions that do not further patient care or population health activities and which have the potential to bias professional judgment.

In particular, the guidelines advise against accepting gifts and hospitality and advise caution in considering industry support for conferences and other meetings. They also promote the provision of independent education for practitioners, trainees and students, and high standards of integrity in research.

This new edition of the Guidelines for ethical relationships between physicians and industry has been many years in the making and has undergone extensive consultation processes, including two full public consultations and international reviews.

Read the Guidelines for ethical relationships between physicians and industry.

Read more about the guidelines including Frequently Asked Questions.