title: [The pharmaceutical industry under discussion].
abstract: The criticism of the pharmaceutical industry is growing while the confidence of the general population seems to be decreasing. The industry functions on the boundary between two worlds: the world of healthcare as a social system and that of a worldwide competitive industry providing employment to nearly 600,000 people in Europe. The two worlds are connected by clinicians who are engaged in the development of new drugs. The conflict between making a profit and providing care also exists in healthcare and science. The criticism should be taken seriously. The solution lies in the ability of the industry to purify itself and not in a new role for government or new regulations.
authors.affiliation: Organon Nederland, 5340 AM Oss.
authors.forename: G H A
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Siemons
mesh_terms: D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005060:Europe; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands