Confirmed by the Board of Finnish Medical Association 18th February 1993 The goal of the cooperation between doctors and the medical industry is
to improve the health care system. This cooperation is indispensable in the development of
medicines. The medical industry also has a significant role in supporting doctors'
complementary training. In the relations between doctors and the medical industry,
however, it is important for doctors to maintain their independence and professional
autonomy. In the intercourse between doctors and medical industry, the basic
rules of Finnish society should be observed, concerning incapacity and hospitality. Training programmes supported by the medical industry have to meet the
professional needs of the doctors. The training programme has to be prepared together with
the participating doctors, and it has to be approved of by an authority outside the
medical industry, for instance, by the Faculty of Medicine, a subsection of the Medical
Association, or a specialist union. A written programme of the training occasion should be
drawn up. In congress and training trips, the medical programme or training has to form
the main part of the programme time. The programme has to improve the professional
abilities of the participants. The medical industry and doctors work together in research and product
development, in order to achieve better medicines for patients. The research for product
development has to be medically justified, and research outlines have to be approved of in
ethical boards. In informative presentations hospitality has to be moderate and
secondary in regard to the product presentation. Advertisement gifts given by the medical
industry have to be primarily associated with the doctor's work, and of little value to
the receiver.DOCTORS AND THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY - A GUIDANCE FOR DOCTORS
Förbund
The Finnish Medical Association -
Health Care and the Medical Profession in Finland
Association
