Register of payments from pharmaceutical companies to staff

The request was successful.

Dear Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation 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...

FOI, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Dear Dr Mendel

Re: Declaration of sponsorship register made by companies to staff

 

Thank you for your information request which we will consider under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 and respond to you within the timescale
specified.

 

Regards

 

Rosie Burdekin

Freedom of Information & Corporate Affairs Officer

Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Tel:   01823 343692

Email:  [1][Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust request email]

 

 

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
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FOI, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Mendel

 

Please find the attached response to your information request under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Thank you

 

Rosie Burdekin

Freedom of Information & Corporate Affairs Officer

Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

 

Tel 01823 343692

Email [1][Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust request email]

 

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail in error and delete
this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you
are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action
in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

References

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1. mailto:[Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust request email]