A 1988 survey of 58 medical schools found that medical schools vary widely in the commercial support received for medical-school-based continuing medical education (CME) courses. Results indicate that commercial support is a sizable secondary source of CME revenue that warrants monitoring and study. (JOW)

Introduction: There is a serious debate over the involvement of the pharmaceutical industry in continuing education. Policies that govern the planning of continuing education for pharmacists center on the potential conflict of interest when there is commercial support for programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of…

A number of bodies have produced guidelines concerning financial support from commercial companies for continuing medical education. Basic principles include independence of the continuing education provider, balanced content, no unusual benefits, and disclosure of potential for bias. (SK)

General institutional guidelines for gifts from commercial companies are needed, in light of national trends. Commercially supported continuing medical education, those concerning personal gifts to physicians, and conflict of interest and research are areas to be considered. (SK)