2007 report on ‘medics for sale’ shelved

Senior Department of Health officials were warned almost a decade ago that private firms were using “hospitality” to influence hospital workers and doctors — but instead of acting shelved the detailed Oireachtas report.

The situation was outlined in a 55-page April 2007 Dáil health committee investigation over serious concerns about alleged medical conflicts of interests.

The group’s then chair Fine Gael TD Liam Twomey said the Adverse Side-Effects of Pharmaceuticals document was not acted on by officials.