TWC flu vax controversy
April 17, 2014
Conflict of interest queries
have been raised about the
Queensland Pharmacist
Immunisation Pilot (QPIP) with the
news that Terry White Chemists
(TWC) received funding for training
from Sanofi Pasteur, manufacturer
of influenza vaccines Intanza and
Vaxigrip.
AMA president Dr Steve
Hambleton told the Sun Herald it
was a “bit of a conflict of interest.”
Sanofi told PD that last year it
provided financial support to the
Terry White group of pharmacies
and Revive Clinics for training
about influenza immunisation,
used to cover costs associated with
providing continuing educational
training, including advice on
adverse reactions.
Sanofi said it strongly believed it
was appropriate for pharmacists to
receive necessary training to ensure
they have the skills and knowledge
to administer vaccinations.
Sanofi said it did not have an
exclusivity agreement with the
organisations and all products were
discussed in the training, including
companion products in the vitamin
and OTC health range.
Sanofi said it would provide
training for Terry White pharmacies
this year, but that Revive Clinics had
decided to use another supplier
due to pricing requirements.
Some of these Terry White
pharmacists were involved in the
QPIP, Sanofi said.
Fifty one TWC pharmacies in total
are involved in the Queensland
Department of Health approved
QPIP (PD 14 Jan), out of a total 77,
and pharmacies can use any TGA
approved vaccine appropriate to
patient needs.
TWC said negotiations with Sanofi
about support were conducted on a
commercial in confidence basis and
details would not be disclosed.
TWC said with regards to the QPIP
it wanted to be “absolutely clear
- our pharmacies paid for their
own pharmacists to be trained to
administer immunisations.”
It said the brand of vaccine
stocked depended upon the
preference of individual pharmacy
owners and, in a clinical setting,
patient factors such as age.
A Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia (PSA) spokesperson said
the PSA did not know the details
of the support but that it was not
unusual for drug companies to
assist doctors and pharmacists
in better understanding their
products.
Commercial in confidence
arrangements between suppliers
and customers were part and
parcel of normal market conditions,
the spokesperson said.
The PSA said it would remind
pharmacists of their responsibilities
under the Code of Ethics,
including ensuring responsible and
accountable control and supply of
therapeutic goods, contributing to
public health and enhancing the
quality use of medicines.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
said the story was a “beat up.
“There is absolutely nothing
unethical about a medicine
manufacturer providing training in
relation to that medicine.”
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