Advertising and disclosure of funding on patient organisation websites: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patient organisations may be exposed to conflicts of interest and undue influence through pharmaceutical industry (Pharma) donations. We examined advertising and disclosure of financial support by pharmaceutical companies on the websites of major patient organisations.

Method

Sixty-nine national and international patient organisations covering 10 disease states were identified using a defined Google search strategy. These were assessed for indicators of transparency, advertising, and disclosure of Pharma funding using an abstraction tool and inspection of annual reports. Data were analysed by simple tally, with medians calculated for financial data.

Results

Patient organisations websites were clear about their identity, target audience and intention but onl

SUBMITTER: Ball DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1557495 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature