NHS bosses paid by drug firms

by **tigger** 24.07.15 12:12

In today's Daily Telegraph there's a long article about an undercover investigation by the Telegraph on senior NHS staff being paid thousands of pounds by drug companies lobbying to get their products used by the health service.

It's well worth a read (can't add the link at the moment but it's ont he front page).

Pharma is a bit of a favourite of mine beause of the strange collection of people present in the OC during the week of 29 april to 5th May. More medical doctors than statistically one might expect (quite apart from the Tapas 9) a few financial experts, one of whom an expert on PFI, someone working at Porton Down, a few industrials who could easily afford better accommodation. It does look more like it was a pharma freebie - just my opinion - but reasonable taking into account those present.

John McCann and his employment as something or other - not a chemist developing any kind of drug I'd think but more likely as a representative. With AstroZeneca being so very accommodating in the early days and yet no break showing in J.McCann's CV on linked-in, plus the fact that Astrozeneca had just merged with a laboratory in Huelva I've always seen him as an essential part of the enterprise. As indeed he was, taking his place on the board of the ltd. co. and deputising for his brother here and there.

I wonder if anyone has counted the nr. of doctors/NHS related persons there at the time.

(Mods - if this needs moving - wasn't sure which forum)

by Guest 24.07.15 18:35

Here is the link:

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by Guest 24.07.15 21:09

This is what unregulated free capitalism looks like.

It's going to get worse before we eventually get the pitch forks out.

by Verdi 24.07.15 22:30

tigger wrote:In today's Daily Telegraph there's a long article about an undercover investigation by the Telegraph on senior NHS staff being paid thousands of pounds by drug companies lobbying to get their products used by the health service.

It's well worth a read (can't add the link at the moment but it's ont he front page).

Pharma is a bit of a favourite of mine beause of the strange collection of people present in the OC during the week of 29 april to 5th May. More medical doctors than statistically one might expect (quite apart from the Tapas 9) a few financial experts, one of whom an expert on PFI, someone working at Porton Down, a few industrials who could easily afford better accommodation. It does look more like it was a pharma freebie - just my opinion - but reasonable taking into account those present.

John McCann and his employment as something or other - not a chemist developing any kind of drug I'd think but more likely as a representative. With AstroZeneca being so very accommodating in the early days and yet no break showing in J.McCann's CV on linked-in, plus the fact that Astrozeneca had just merged with a laboratory in Huelva I've always seen him as an essential part of the enterprise. As indeed he was, taking his place on the board of the ltd. co. and deputising for his brother here and there.

I wonder if anyone has counted the nr. of doctors/NHS related persons there at the time.

(Mods - if this needs moving - wasn't sure which forum)

Can't disagree with the general tenor of what you say (like anythings possible) but if so, the gesture was a bit stingy. I would expect a wealthy pharmaceutical company offering freebies as a sweetener to at least come up with a spa resort in some exotic location - not the Ocean Club PdL on the Portuguese Algarve with very limited facilities? If it was a golfers paradise I might be more convinced but what did Warners have to offer by way of VIP accommodation?

by **tigger** 25.07.15 10:18

Verdi wrote:
tigger wrote:In today's Daily Telegraph there's a long article about an undercover investigation by the Telegraph on senior NHS staff being paid thousands of pounds by drug companies lobbying to get their products used by the health service.

It's well worth a read (can't add the link at the moment but it's ont he front page).

Pharma is a bit of a favourite of mine beause of the strange collection of people present in the OC during the week of 29 april to 5th May. More medical doctors than statistically one might expect (quite apart from the Tapas 9) a few financial experts, one of whom an expert on PFI, someone working at Porton Down, a few industrials who could easily afford better accommodation. It does look more like it was a pharma freebie - just my opinion - but reasonable taking into account those present.

John McCann and his employment as something or other - not a chemist developing any kind of drug I'd think but more likely as a representative. With AstroZeneca being so very accommodating in the early days and yet no break showing in J.McCann's CV on linked-in, plus the fact that Astrozeneca had just merged with a laboratory in Huelva I've always seen him as an essential part of the enterprise. As indeed he was, taking his place on the board of the ltd. co. and deputising for his brother here and there.

I wonder if anyone has counted the nr. of doctors/NHS related persons there at the time.

(Mods - if this needs moving - wasn't sure which forum)
Can't disagree with the general tenor of what you say (like anythings possible) but if so, the gesture was a bit stingy. I would expect a wealthy pharmaceutical company offering freebies as a sweetener to at least come up with a spa resort in some exotic location - not the Ocean Club PdL on the Portuguese Algarve with very limited facilities? If it was a golfers paradise I might be more convinced but what did Warners have to offer by way of VIP accommodation?

The OC club does have a conference room which seats about 75 people. Perhaps - and this is based on the strange mix of people and the immediate help sent by the UK government right from the start - this was a low-key unofficial gathering. Sub rosa for some to confer with each other (the top end, industrials, producers, PFI experts, finance experts), a couple of short lectures for the contacts with different health trusts. (the medics) It would explain why non-involved people there made such a hash of their statements (Balu, Carpenter et al) . The fact that the OC was very nearly at full staffing levels normal for the high season may also support this. Although I don't support Textusa's conclusions or inferences. Quite a few staff would be on the list to come in as and when needed.