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Drug companies offering ‘freebies’ face prosecution

The government has ordered a clamp-down on drug companies which effectively bribe health professionals to use their drugs with offers of free gifts.

Some companies offer doctors inducements such as air miles, mountain bikes, electrical goods or exotic holidays to persuade them to prescribe more of their products.

‘It is completely unacceptable for pharmaceutical companies to encourage health professionals to use their products through free gifts and other sweeteners,’ said health minister Baroness Jay.

It is already a criminal offence to offer inducements to prescribe or supply medicines, and it is also illegal for doctors or chemists to accept such bribes. But in the past the Medicines Control Agency, which regulates drug company advertising, has preferred to warn rather than prosecute companies.

Now ministers are determined that companies – and doctors – who flout the law will be prosecuted. The maximum penalty for offering inducements will be a £5,000 fine and a two year jail sentence.

‘We will not tolerate unlawful promotions which seek to exert improper influence,’ warned Baroness Jay.