PRESS RELEASE: MPS advises doctors to be cautious of perverse incentives
20 Sep 2011
You should avoid accepting any incentive that may compromise, or that may be regarded by others as likely to compromise, your independent professional judgment
The prescribing of a drug or treatment, or referrals to hospitals or health centres, should not be based on a financial incentive. The Medical Protection Society (MPS) is reminding doctors that the patient’s interest should always be the main priority and their judgment should not be clouded by money or gifts.
In response to doctors’ concerns, MPS is issuing a factsheet advising doctors to be cautious when offered payments or incentives. This is in line with guidance from the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) that states doctors must not accept unreasonable sums of money, equipment or expensive items for personal use from commercial firms that manufacture or market medical products.
Dr Teoh Ming Keng, MPS Head of Medical Services, Asia says: “When prescribing a drug or treatment for a patient, your choice should be based solely on the medical interests of the patient. You should avoid accepting any incentive that may compromise, or that may be regarded by others as likely to compromise, your independent professional judgment.
“It is also unacceptable to receive payments or benefits from pharmaceutical firms if they could influence your professional assessment of the clinical value of drugs or appliances, particularly in relation to research projects. It is the doctor’s responsibility to be aware of these risks and to ensure these do not get in the way of their professional practice.”
MPS has created a factsheet which covers the key issues relating to perverse incentives. This is in addition to new factsheets with essential and practical advice on a range of medicolegal issues for doctors in Hong Kong – these include:
For further information please contact Kim Watson, Press Officer on +44 207 399 1409 or email kim.watson@mps.org.uk
Further information
For further information please contact Kim Watson, Press Officer on +44 207 399 1409 or email kim.watson@mps.org.uk.