2022 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 17-24
In order to ensure smooth collaboration between R & D-based pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions, it is essential to secure high transparency and gain the trust and confidence of society by disclosing information. The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and The Fair Trade Council of the Ethical Pharmaceutical Drugs Marketing Industry have presented how scholarship donations should be, and the guidelines for the relationship with medical institutions. Each member company of the JPMA complies with these guidelines and gives “donation” on their own responsibility to support “research” independently conducted by healthcare professionals or researchers and “academic meetings/lecture meetings” conducted by academic societies. However, many issues remain to be resolved. On the other hand, Pfizer supports independent initiatives to improve patient’s outcomes, which are conducted by healthcare professionals or researchers, by giving “grants” based on grant agreements. In the framework of this grant program, Pfizer evaluates expected outcomes in advance, then conclude the grant agreement, and supports the initiatives by providing funds, drugs, or compounds. The grantees are required to report on how the outcomes of patients are improved as a result of the support. This grant program covers not only research fields but also medical education and training required in the medical field as well as initiatives to promote changes in behavior of healthcare professionals and the system (structure). This paper raises the issues of support from pharmaceutical companies in Japan, especially support through scholarship donations, introduces the Pfizer’s grant program called Independent Medical Grants, and makes recommendations on how support from pharmaceutical companies should be provided.
