Conference to debate the relationship between psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry

The conference will address: Where would we be without pharmaceutical companies?; Ethical perspectives in psychiatry; On what evidence is prescribing in psychiatry based?; How do pharmaceutical companies exert influence in the media and public mind?

Consumption of prescription drugs has risen. A large majority of these drugs are for psychiatric complaints. Mental health charity Mind and the Critical Psychiatry Network are hosting a conference to examine the relationship between psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry. Mind and the Critical Psychiatry Network are teaming up with conference organisers Pavilion to hold the event in London on Monday 17 November. Key members from both sides of the debate will address areas of concern to all those involved in working with and supporting people who experience mental distress.

The conference will address: Where would we be without pharmaceutical companies?; Ethical perspectives in psychiatry; On what evidence is prescribing in psychiatry based?; How do pharmaceutical companies exert influence in the media and public mind?

Speakers include: Professor Robert Kerwin, Psychoparmacologist, Institute of Psychiatry; Dr Mike Shooter President, Royal College of Psychiatry; Dr Joanna Moncrieff Psychiatrist and Co-chair, Critical Psychiatry Network; David Healy Psychiatrist; Dr Kamran Abbasi Deputy Editor, British Medical Journal; Peter Beresford Director, The Centre for Citizen Participation, Brunel University; Richard Brook Chief Executive, Mind; Sarah Bosley, Health Writer, The Guardian; Charles Medawar, Social Auit UK; Professor John Abrahams, Sociologist, University of Sussex; David Crepaz-Keay, Director, Mental Health Media.

Dr Joanna Moncrieff, Psychiatrist and Co-chair, Critical Psychiatry Network said:
Psychiatry is in the grip of the pharmaceutical industry. The industry is creating spurious uses for psychotropic drug treatments and overstating the benefits of drugs for established psychiatric disorders. The psychiatric profession is allowing this to happen."
Ends

Notes to Editors

1.The conference takes place 9.30am - 4.00pm, Monday 17 November 2003 Royal Institute of British Architects, 66 Portland Place, London W1B 1AD

2. Press enquiries to: Sophie Medd, (Marketing), Pavilion
Tel (direct line & answerphone): 01273 623 222 ext 249
Tel (switchboard): 0870 161 3505

Email: sophiem@pavpub.com
Fax:    0870 161 3506

3. Enquiries about conference fees and attendance to:
Customer Services, Pavilion
Tel: 0870 161 3505
Fax: 0870 161 3506

Email: info@pavpub.com
Book online at: www.pavpub.com

4. Pavilion is the leading conference provider in health and social care, and publisher of training and development materials for the caring services in the UK. We publish and distribute a range of products both in out own right and in partnership with professional and academic organisations in the field.    

For more information on Pavilion go tohttp://www.pavpub.com/ or call: 0870 161 3505

5. Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress by; Advancing the views, needs and ambitions of people with mental health problems; Challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion; Influencing policy through campaigning and education; Inspiring the development of quality services which reflect expressed need and diversity; Achieving equal rights through campaigning and education.
For more information on Mind go to: www.mind.org.uk or call: 0845 766 0163
6. The Critical Psychiatry Network is a group that provides a network to develop a critique of the contemporary psychiatric system.