In the UK, medical ethics dictate that healthcare professionals must declare any payments or gifts received from pharmaceutical companies to maintain transparency and uphold the trust of patients. Failure to disclose financial ties with pharmaceutical companies can not only compromise the integrity of medical professionals but also raise concerns about the quality of patient care. By being transparent about any potential conflicts of interest, healthcare providers can reassure patients that their treatment decisions are based solely on medical necessity and not influenced by external factors. This level of accountability is essential in maintaining the ethical standards of the medical profession and safeguarding the well-being of those under their care. This practice is crucial in ensuring unbiased treatment decisions and preventing conflicts of interest. The General Medical Council provides guidelines on this matter, emphasizing the importance of disclosure to mitigate potential risks to patient care and public perception. Failure to declare such payments can damage a healthcare professional's reputation and erode trust within the medical community. Furthermore, these ethical considerations extend beyond individual practitioners to include hospitals and healthcare institutions, which should have robust policies in place to monitor and report financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies. Ultimately, adherence to these principles promotes integrity in medical practice and safeguards patient welfare.
Complaints about these doctors should be made to the following :
Complain about TV, radio or on demand services - Ofcom
Concerns about doctors - GMC (gmc-uk.org)
Make a complaint (pmcpa.org.uk)
All three complaints must be filed simultaneously, citing clause 24 of the ABPI code of practice, which addresses contracted services. According to this clause, any contract for such services must include a provision that requires the contractor to disclose their affiliation with the contracting pharmaceutical company whenever they speak publicly. By exerting sufficient pressure on the system through exposing these violations, we can achieve transparency and hold them accountable for misleading the public.
We can effect change if you use your voice and be the spokesperson for those who are no longer with us.
Dr. Amir Khan, a Senior Lecturer at The University of Leeds School of Medicine and The University of Bradford in the UK, is an NHS doctor who serves as a General Practitioner with Special Interest (GPwSI) in diabetes and a GP trainer. In addition to his medical work, Dr. Khan is a renowned author and has appeared on popular TV shows like ITV's "Lorraine" and "Good Morning Britain." He has also hosted programs on Channel 5¹.
Recently, Dr. Khan has been actively advocating for vaccines, emphasizing their importance during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has expressed his hope for a sufficient supply of vaccines for his practice⁴. Notably, he has mentioned a vaccine that is designed to be effective against future Covid variants and potential pandemics, which has received funding from Cambridge University². Dr. Khan's dedication to public health is evident in his efforts to encourage people to get vaccinated against both flu and Covid-19⁵.
However, there have been concerns raised about the transparency of Dr. Khan's relationships with pharmaceutical companies. Allegations suggest that he may have failed to disclose payments related to vaccines, which could potentially impact his impartiality. While Dr. Khan maintains that these payments are unrelated to his promotion of vaccines, the lack of transparency has raised questions. According to the ABPI Code, healthcare professionals are encouraged to voluntarily disclose such information. It would be advisable for Dr. Khan to consider reporting these incidents to the prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)¹.
JAOC view :
My assessment of Dr. Khan is that he cannot escape the reality that he received payments from the pharmaceutical companies that supplied vaccines to the UK market. If you agree with the notion that his endorsement of the vaccines, despite them being labelled as an "experimental product," and his substantial compensation are concerning, I disagree with him dismissing it as irrelevant. Hence, he must present a copy of the contract he agreed to, which will either validate his position or affirm my suspicions. Irrespective of the contract, he is mandated by clause 24 of ABPI to disclose this information when addressing the public.
You can find the payments to any doctor on this link Disclosure UK (abpi.org.uk)
Dr. Hilary Jones, a well-known English general practitioner, presenter, and writer. Born in Hammersmith, London, he obtained his medical degree from the Royal Free Hospital in 1976. In the media realm, Dr. Jones became the TV-am doctor in May 1989 and has been a regular feature on GMTV since 1993, providing health and medical advice. He has also worked as the Health Editor on Daybreak, Lorraine, and Good Morning Britain. Dr. Jones is known for reporting on medical news and discussing various health topics. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, he has been a consistent presence on morning programs. Additionally, he has co-presented “The Health Show” and hosted “Loud & Clear” for Meridian Television. Furthermore, he has a regular guest slot on Steve Wright’s BBC Radio 2 program. Previously, Dr. Jones worked as a medical adviser for the online clinic HealthExpress, creating health advice videos and hosting live 'Twitter Clinics'.
JAOC view:
I hold a particular aversion towards Dr. Jones due to his reputation as a calming presence for TV viewers, stemming from his extensive experience and longevity in the industry. However, his condescending demeanour towards individuals who chose not to receive the vaccination, where he failed to control his anger, was quite evident. As someone who has only received one dose, I find it disheartening how he has created a division between anti-vaxxers and those who he believes are doing the right thing. Personally, I commend those who have chosen not to take the vaccine. Furthermore, it is concerning that he has accepted significant undisclosed payments while engaging in these actions. It is imperative that he is removed from his television programs and issues a public apology for not disclosing his financial arrangements.
You can find the payments to any doctor on this link Disclosure UK (abpi.org.uk)
Dr. David Strain holds the position of Associate Professor of Cardiometabolic Health at the University of Exeter Medical School.
Academic and Clinical Roles:
- Dr. Strain is an honorary consultant in medicine for older adults and leads the academic department for healthcare for older adults.
- He is the chair of the British Medical Association’s Board of Science.
- His expertise focuses on exploring medication mechanisms beyond sugar and blood pressure effects, especially for individuals with diabetes.
- Dr. Strain's research on individualizing treatment targets for older adults across Europe has influenced UK guidance on managing older adults with diabetes and frailty.
COVID-19 Response:
- Since March 2020, Dr. Strain has actively participated in the COVID-19 response.
- Within the British Medical Association (BMA), he spearheaded the academic response to risk assessment for healthcare workers.
- Clinically, he serves as the Clinical Lead for COVID services at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.
- While Dr. Strain's work extends beyond COVID-19, his contributions during the pandemic have been substantial.
JAOC view:
Dr Strain has shown his love for money and his absolute non impartiality during covid by not declaring his significant payments.
You can find the payments to any doctor on this link Disclosure UK (abpi.org.uk)
Dr. Ranjit Singh, popularly known as Dr. Ranj, is a renowned British doctor, television presenter, author, and columnist.
In 2016, he became a resident doctor on ITV's "This Morning," where he provided medical advice to viewers. Dr. Ranj also co-hosted "Save Money: Good Health" alongside Sian Williams on ITV2.In March 2020, he embarked on hosting his own medical advice show called "Dr. Ranj: ON Call" on ITV1.
COVID-19 Response:
During the pandemic, Dr. Ranj temporarily stepped back from his media commitments to focus on supporting the NHS as a paediatric emergency medicine specialist1.
He utilized his platform to debunk misinformation and provide accurate guidance to parents and the general public, emphasizing the crucial importance of COVID-19 vaccinations3.
Dr. Ranj continues to advocate for vaccinations, urging older individuals to receive their COVID booster and flu shots.
JAOC view :
He has thoroughly enjoyed the attention he received from the media, relishing in his newfound fame as a gay icon and a favourite among housewives. He even divulged the details of an embarrassing incident involving his nakedness, where he was seen by a window cleaner, further boosting his popularity. However, conveniently in December, he attributed his mental health struggles as the reason for his withdrawal from the spotlight, just as the noose was tightening around him. The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably heightened awareness about mental health, a topic that cannot be ignored. It is worth noting that during the lockdowns imposed by those advocating for the vaccine, he chose to keep his financial transactions concealed, regardless of his current pressures. Despite my scepticism regarding his intentions, it is undeniable that his actions have undermined his credibility in advising the public.
You can find the payments to any doctor on this link Disclosure UK (abpi.org.uk)
