Pharma spending on education events tops $12 milion

PHARMACEUTICAL companies have spent more than $12 million on educational events during the first quarter of 2010, the industry’s peak body Medicines Australia has reported.

Thirty-six Medicines Australia member companies reported hosting 5857 educational events, with more than 140,000 medical professionals attending.

The average cost of the event per head was $87.40, a slight increase on the $71.33 reported in the previous educational event report.

A Medicines Australia spokesperson noted the number of events was slightly lower than usual, but added that this was due to the inclusion of January, which is known to be a slow month for educational events.

The increase in the total cost of educational events was said to be the result of fewer smaller events being captured in the report. Events ranged from journal clubs and conferences to event sponsorship.

Medicines Australia said only one event had been referred to the Code of Conduct Committee for investigation. However, the company involved could not yet be named until a determination had been made.