The phrase "loss leader" was used earlier - and it's a good one ! Once the in-house EBME department has gone and the workshop used as a clinical area, there's no way back. If the department has grown from small beginnings over 20 years or more, then the investment has been spread. Trying to set up an EBME from scratch would be hugely expensive - so the third party companies can just keep raising the stakes and must eventually start making a profit. After all, that's why they're there !
