Association Of Faculties Of Medicine Of Canada Endorses AAMC Policies Regarding Industry Funding Of Medical Education

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 10 Dec 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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At its fall meeting in Ottawa on November 14th, the Board of Directors of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) voted unanimously to endorse the principles set out in the Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) report titled Industry Funding of Medical Education.

"Our academic relationships with industry are important and complex," said Dr. Harold Cook, Chair of the AFMC Board of Directors and Dean of Medicine at Dalhousie University. "The AAMC report outlines a series of principles which, when implemented, provide more transparent and coherent policies for industry engagement."

Dr. Nick Busing, President and CEO of AFMC remarked "there is no question that industry plays an important role in supporting all aspects of our healthcare system, including medical education. This endorsement ensures that this support does not lead to real or perceived conflicts of interest, and sets the stage for more fruitful interactions."

The AAMC report recommends prohibiting drug industry gifts and services to physicians, faculty, residents, and students, and the curtailment of industry involvement in continuing medical education activities. The AAMC report can be found in its entirety at: http://www.aamc.org/industryfunding

Irving Gold
Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs
Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
http://www.afmc.ca