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Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association

JAMA. 1998;280:563.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

A number of physicians are engaged in the sale, from their offices, of such non–health-related goods as household products and magazine subscriptions.¹ This report addresses certain important ethical problems with such sales and sets guidelines for the sale of such goods in those few circumstances when it is appropriate.

ETHICAL PROBLEMS WITH FOR-PROFIT SALES OF GOODS

Conflict of Interest

The for-profit sale of goods to patients by physicians inherently creates a conflict of interest. Physicians engaging in this activity have a direct financial interest in selling the goods to patients, but the sale may or may not be in the best interests of the patients. Physicians may be tempted to sell items for profit even though their patients do not need the products. Even if most physicians are capable of resisting such temptation, the ethical course is for professionals to avoid placing themselves in temptation's way. This conflict of interest is . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Inherent Sales Pressure

Demeaning Medical Practice

SALE OF GOODS AT COST AND FREE GOODS

EXCEPTION FOR SALES FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT

CONCLUSION

Members of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs include Robert M. Tenery, Jr, MD (chair), Dallas, Tex; Herbert Rakatansky, MD (vice chair), Providence, RI; Alan Hartford, MD, PhD (resident), Boston, Mass; John C. Madden III (student), Brentwood, Mo; Leonard J. Morse, MD, Worster, Mass; John M. O'Bannon III, MD, Richmond, Va; Frank A. Riddick, Jr, MD, New Orleans, La; Victoria Ruff, MD, Columbus, Ohio; George T. Wilkins, Jr, MD, Culver, Ind; Charles W. Plows, MD (former chair), Santa Ana, Calif; Linda L. Emanuel, MD, PhD (vice president, ethics standards), Chicago, Ill; Stephen R. Latham, JD, PhD (acting council secretary and staff author), Chicago; H. Nina Kim (staff associate), Chicago; Blaire S. Osgood (staff associate), Chicago.

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RELATED LETTER

Sale of Goods From Physicians' Offices
Andrea Lyman and Robert M. Tenery, Jr
JAMA. 1999;281(1):34.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Sale of Goods From Physicians' Offices
Lyman and Tenery, Jr
JAMA 1999;281:34-34.
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