British Medical AssociationThursday 24 June 2010, 1:33PM
Media release from the British Medical Association
The BMA and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges are, today
(Thursday 24 June 2010), calling on the UK government to take
action against irresponsible, direct marketing of private health
screening tests.
In a letter sent to the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, BMA
Chairman of Council Dr Hamish Meldrum and Chairman of the Academy
of Medical Royal Colleges, Professor Sir Neil Douglas, say that
they believe individuals are being exploited by misleading
marketing.
Dr Meldrum says: "Some private companies are taking advantage of
vulnerable people by claiming that the health screening they offer
will detect diseases early or reduce an individual's risk of
developing specific illnesses.
"However, the NHS has safeguards in place to ensure that the
public can be confident that the tests which are offered as part of
high-quality screening programmes are supported by sound research
evidence. This ensures that anyone having a test is aware of the
benefits, risks and limitations involved, and can make informed
choices. Such safeguards often do not exist in the private sector
which makes it impossible for people to distinguish between private
testing services that may do some good, and those that are of no
value or even potentially harmful."
Professor Douglas added:
"There are significant risks with direct-to-consumer tests. Many
are unreliable and inaccurate. Patients may be falsely reassured,
or undergo avoidable and sometimes invasive follow-up tests and
treatments. Unnecessary procedures may have long-term or permanent
complications which can place a burden on the NHS.
"Doctors have a professional obligation to promote and protect
patient safety. While we want our patients to be well informed and
to take responsibility for managing their own health, we also need
to prevent them from being exploited."
In a joint statement, the BMA and the Academy have called on the
UK government to strengthen the marketing rules for health
screening to ensure that advertising is factual and balanced. This
would require all marketing material to include information
on:
- the risks and limitations associated with the test
- the implications of the results and any follow up that might be
required
- the procedures that are and that are not included in the price
of the test
- a statement of the health benefit from the test and of the
nature and quality of the evidence for this health benefit
- any financial gain or conflict of interest by those providing or
recommending the tests
- the advisability of seeking independent medical advice before
taking a final decision to have the test
There should be a robust system in place to monitor compliance
with the above regulations, including strong penalties for
transgressions, says the BMA and the Academy.
Link to full statement
http://www.bma.org.uk/health_promotion_ethics/genetics/jointstatementhealthtests.jsp
Letter
Andrew Lansley CBE MP
Secretary of State for Health
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS
24 June 2010
Dear Andrew
The British Medical Association (BMA) and Academy of Medical Royal
Colleges (AoMRC) have today issued a joint statement calling for
the strengthening of the existing regulatory framework on the
provision of information for direct-to-consumer screening tests. A
copy of the joint statement is enclosed for reference.
This was developed following a stakeholder event hosted by the BMA
in February 2010 and in light of concerns expressed by healthcare
professionals regarding ad hoc, non-quality assured screening
practices. The event was attended by a range of organisations
including the AoMRC, the UK Genetic Testing Network, the Nuffield
Council on Bioethics, the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency, the Faculty of Public Health, the UK National
Screening Committee, and the Patients Association.
We are writing to seek your views on how this matter can be
progressed and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Dr Hamish Meldrum Professor Sir Neil Douglas
Chairman of Council Chairman
British Medical Association Academy of Medical Royal Colleges