Friday September 03 2010
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| Kingston PCT trust under expenses scrutiny | Send to a friend |
| Written by Declan Tan | |||||
| Saturday, 16 May 2009 14:55 | |||||
Doctors across Kingston are failing to declare conference travel expenses and free lunches paid for by big drugs companies, according to records from a recent Freedom of Information Act request.The Kingston Primary Care Trust (PCT) kept no register of sponsorship or hospitality from private businesses, while other areas such as Surrey and North London revealed a consistent rate of private donations and ‘perks’. Records showed that perks given included paid business trips and fees for international conferences, tickets to sporting events and ‘educational meetings’ offering free lunches and dinners. However, Kingston’s records were empty.
Freedom of Information and NHS legislation [http://www.kingstonpct.nhs.uk/home/freedom_of_information/] requires that all PCTs must declare all gifts, donations or sponsorship received from private interests such as large pharmaceutical companies. Records are required to include dates, names of sponsors and the amount donated.
Dr Des Spence, head of No Free Lunch UK, believes that doctors can find themselves prescribing certain drugs because of the mixture of intensive marketing and perks from large pharmaceutical companies.
Manufacturer Merck & Co withdrew the drug after it was discovered there was a significant increase in stroke and heart attacks amongst patients prescribed the medication, but Dr Spence said: “A large number of people suffered unnecessary strokes and heart attacks because we had used this medication too widely and that was largely because it had been very heavily promoted and marketed.” However, doctors say the meetings give them the opportunity to learn about new drugs. North East London GP, Dr Zenib Khan, said: “Somebody needs to market new products so that we become aware of them. It is important that we have some degree of marketing because otherwise how else would we know how these drugs are working?”
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News In Brief
| Research grants announcedKingston University last week received a 5.3% increase in its government grant for research and teaching. The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced that Kingston would receive £73.3m in 2009/10. The average national increase was 4%, while a number of universities, including the London School of Economics, saw their funding reduced. |
| Kingston student named Microsoft 'Intern of the Year'A Kingston student won Microsoft’s 'Intern of the Year' award after a process he created was used by the computer giant’s worldwide sales force. George Avlastimovas, a Business Information Technology student, came up with a new form for staff requesting bonuses while on a placement as part of his course. He said that the internship gave him “a fantastic opportunity to shape and mould the role to suit my skills.” |
| Bring your own mugA money saving scheme has been extended to the Penryhn Road campus. Lecturers and students who bring their own mug to the Picton Room will receive a 5p discount off any hot drink. The scheme, already trialling at Kingston Hill, was introduced in a bid to encourage sustainability and cut back on packaging produced by the university. If successful, it will be extended to all the foodstores. |
| Cheeky cat in hallsGorgeous George the cat is much loved and petted by the residents and staff at Middle Mill Halls, but, his cheeky antics have got him into trouble. He can often be found pacing the car park meowing at passers by, lounging in reception or nipping into halls for extra strokes. However, halls management are now concerned that this felicitous feline is breaching the licence and have put up a sign asking students to prevent him sneaking into bedrooms and becoming overfed. |
| Honorary degree for leading luvvieOne of the leading lights behind the Rose Theatre received an honorary degree from Kingston University last month in the building he helped to create.Robin Hutchinson, 50, worked for over 25 years to bring the theatre to reality. The former director of communications and fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind said: “To be recognised by Kingston University was a wonderful honour and to receive it at The Rose was incredibly special.”Click here for more. |
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