Register of payments from pharmaceutical companies to staff

The request was successful.

Dear Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust,

Hospital trusts are reportedly meant to keep a register of payments from pharmaceutical companies (and other relevant companies) to staff, in case of conflicts of interest [1]. I am requesting a copy of the register for this Trust - which I would hope includes details of all relevant payments to staff and any related potential conflicts of interest. If it would be possible to have this information in an appropriate structured data format - for example, a CSV file - this would be helpful. If this Trust does not have a complete register, I would request: the release of the information on this topic that the Trust does hold; and an explanation of why the Trust does not hold a complete register.

I am aware that some would view data on pharmaceutical funding as personal data for those staff receiving the funding. Even if some of the information on this register may be classed as personal data (although this is contestable - for example, in some sectors of academia information re funding sources is made public as a matter of course) it would be covered by paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 of the Data Protection Act. The release of these data is "necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by the data controller or by the third party or parties to whom the data are disclosed" [2]. Spurling et al's systematic review of how information from pharmaceutical companies impacts physicians' prescribing reported that, of the studies included which looked at total promotional investment, three "found that total promotional investment was positively associated with prescribing frequency...Two...found both positive results and no association...One study did not detect an association" [3]. There is thus a legitimate interest in releasing this register: the available research suggests that it is plausible that payments received influence how public money is spent and the type of care provided to members of the public.

For the reasons given above, there is a strong public interest in releasing this information. While "requests for the personal data of a third party are exempt under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act...if disclosure would contravene section 10 of the Data Protection Act, the right to prevent processing likely to cause damage or distress" [2], I would argue that, even if some of those named in these documents feel that their release would cause them damage or distress, this is outweighed by the significant public interest served by releasing these data.

Yours Faithfully,

Dr Jonathan Mendel

[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/a...
[2] http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/info...
[3] http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info...

Publication Scheme,

Hi Jonathan,

 

FOI request duly noted – I will ensure you receive a response within the
statutory 20 working day deadline.

 

It would truly help our statistics for internal reporting if you could
confirm if you are a freelance journalist or from a commercial company?

 

Please note that in order to gather together the information requested; it
is necessary to share your details within the Trust as your email will be
forwarded onto the relevant departments involved.

 

As part of our responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act, it
will also be necessary to include your email request within our disclosure
log published via the Trusts website.

 

Regards,

FOI Act Lead
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

 

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Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I'm submitting this request independently, not on behalf of a commercial company. Whether you view me as a freelance journalist depends how you define journalist (I wouldn't define myself as such).

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Mendel

Publication Scheme,

Many thanks Jonathan
Kind regards
FOI Act Lead

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DVH Freedom of Information,

1 Attachment

  • Attachment

    Anonymised Register of Gifts Sponsorship Hospitality 2010 onwards FOI.pdf

    62K Download View as HTML

Dear Jonathan,

 

Freedom of Information

With reference to your request detailed below, please find the Trusts
Gifts and Hospitality register attached.

 

Sincere apologies for the delayed response, if you are unhappy with the
service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a
complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to:-

 

Complaints / Claims Manager

Admin, Level 3

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

Kent

DA2 8DA

 

Email: [1][email address]

 

If, after we have addressed your complaint, you remain dissatisfied with
how the Trust has responded, you are entitled to appeal to the Information
Commissioner (Tel: 01625 545 745).

Further details can be found at [2]www.ico.org.uk

 

Kind regards,

FOI Act Lead
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

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