Conflicts of interest: a review of institutional policy in Australian medical schools.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the adequacy of policies at Australian medical schools for managing potential conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: National survey of 20 Australian medical schools to assess their policies regarding disclosure and management of conflict of interest, undertaken in October 2009, using the American Medical Student Association's PharmFree Scorecard.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Policy scores and grades for Australian medical schools.

RESULTS

Compared with United States medical schools, Australian medical schools performed better in only the curriculum domain and had a lower mean score overall (44% v 58%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate a need for improved self-regulation of conflicts of interest in Australian medical schools.