British Gov't: No, It's Fine, We're All Comfy Down Here In Pharma's Pocket posted by BionOc

In a, shall we say, interesting response to critiques of the independence of the UK drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Dept. of Health has announced that that same regulator 'should vet all adverts for new [pharmaceutical] products'.

It has also called for improved self-regulation, calling for the industry to draw up a code of conduct following concerns companies were having to much influence through marketing techniques.
[...]
But the government has rejected MPs suggestions to beef up the MHRA inspection and regulation duties and separate the responsibility for looking after patients and industry interests.

Ah yes, the well-known and formidable power of the voluntary code of conduct. That'll stop companies having too much influence.

British Pharmaceutical Industry Code of Conduct

Article 1, Section 1

We, the Members of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, do hereby engage and undertake, of our own volition and for the betterment of Britain, to pursue with all due vigor the following commitments:

1) Stop marketing products to patients, lest undue influence be exerted over them.

2) Institute industry-wide Abandoned-Puppy-Rescue initiative

3) Pursue World Peace.

So gonna happen that way.

And then of course, who would ever be so delusional as to imagine a need to 'separate the responsibility for looking after patients and industry interests'? How could that conjunction possibly create a conflict of interest?

And, for those of you snoozing at the back:

Health Minister Jane Kennedy said the pharmaceutical industry was of enormous importance - it is the third most profitable market after tourism and finance - to Britain.

"It is in all of our interests that the industry maintains its currently strong position."

Health Minister Jane Kennedy. I know you might have accidentally assumed that was, say, the Finance Minister talking, or the Minister for the Promotion of Industry at the Expense of Citizens. Nuh-uh.