INTRODUCTION: Since World War II, the pharmaceutical industry has consolidated itself as an important and lucrative economic activity. Considering that the prescribers are physicians, the industry draws on heavy advertising and perks and benefits, beginning early in medical school. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to identify ethical perceptions among medical students in early medical school, besides comparing the various groups comprising the sample. Sample and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study based on the application and analysis of a questionnaire on the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, answered by 94 second-year medical students. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon's and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.5. RESULTS: The answers were similar to the Code of Medical Ethics, last revised in 1988. In the comparison of the groups concerning the statement on the need for more time devoted to ethical issues, there was a difference between religious and non-religious students. DISCUSSION: Students were aware of the pharmaceutical industry's influence, although they were unaware of some of its marketing mechanisms and the fact that they were vulnerable to advertising within the medical school setting. CONCLUSION: The students' ethical perceptions were largely homogeneous and consistent with the Code of Medical Ethics. They acknowledged the need for an on-going discussion on the subject
Medical Ethics; Medical Education; Drug Industry; Medical Students
