Physician-industry relationships and promotion ethics in Turkey

In recent years, physician-industry relationships and ethical problems within these relationships have been one of the most discussed topics both in medical society and in the general public in our country. Unethical, and sometimes illegal, relations between the physician and the industry destroy patient rights and security as well as the health care sector and health care institutions as a whole. Although written documents on legislative procedures about promotion ethics are available, these cannot be observed in practice. To what extent is the impact of the promotional activities targeting the physicians have an impact on the criteria considered by the physicians when diagnosing and providing therapy? How can the medical doctors make rational decisions when they are surrounded by the industry? Does the situation (details will be discussed in this manuscript), which exist in our country leave the physicians to make a choice between their conscience and wallet? In this manuscript it is aimed to find answers to these questions. Also the topic will be evaluated from the perspectives of physician-industry relations, education of the physician, factors influencing prescribing, promotion ethics, and ethical-legal procedures.