Japan pharma is not keen on transparency

A Yomiuri Shimbun survey of all 69 member firms of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association has found little enthusiasm for  the disclosure of payments to researchers, including the amounts  involved. Only nine drugmakers (13%) said they were "looking into" the  transparency issue.

The survey, reported in the Daily Yomiuri, coincided with the  announcement that USA-headquartered pharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer will  reveal its financial relationships with researchers, as well as news  that the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers was  due to discuss the matter at a board of directors meeting in Spain.

Valid responses to the survey were received from 37 companies, or 54%.  16 of these (23%) said they had no plans to disclose payments, but  most of the firms did not clarify their position. One of the positive  responders, Eisai, stated that "society demands that we improve our  transparency. A 2008 Yomiuri Shimbun study found that about 90% of  public university physicians involved in drawing up guidelines for  treating some diseases received donations from drugmakers producing  related drugs.