Japan pharma conflict-of-interest hearings

In Japan, hearings between representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and medicinal facilities relating to agreements on drug industry donations were held recently at the Study Committee on Conflict-of-Interest among members participating in committees under the Council on Pharmaceuticals Affairs and Food Sanitation at the Ministry of Heath, Labor and Welfare.

Since the compliance agreement for conflict-of-interest among the members participating in the committees at the CPAFS took effect on March 24, the MHLW wanted to confirm the implementation status of the accords by hearing from the parties concerned.

Although the agreement requires that CPAFS members who received 5.0 million yen ($47,000) or more in a year as contributions and contract money from a drugmaker relating to the review of its product(s) make a declaration as to the amount, and leave the room during discussing or voting for the relevant agent(s), it allows those who received less than that to attend and state opinions but not vote, while members receiving less than 500,000 yen can both discuss and vote.