What's Your Poison?

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The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has back-tracked on a decision to prevent No Free Lunch - a group dedicated to curbing drug industry marketing to doctors - from hiring booth space at its annual scientific assembly. In his September 14 decision, AAFP Executive Vice President Douglas Henley stated that, "while the AAFP respects the mission of No Free Lunch, their desire to eliminate information-sharing by exhibitors with our members clearly negates the purpose of the Exposition Hall." The British Medical Journal noted that the "conference exhibitors and corporate supporters of the academy's conference include the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Abbott Laboratories, Coca-Cola, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and Pfizer. Following protests, AAFP reversed its position and issued a statement agreeing that No Free Lunch could hire booth space.