Bill would make pharmas, device makers disclose gifts

A measure that would force pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers to disclose gifts valued at more than $25 seems to be gathering momentum. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Pete Stark (D-CA) have introduced a bill that would set such a rule. It follows a companion bill sponsored by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI), which in its case, would require companies with at least $100 million in annual revenue to disclose gifts of more than $25, which then would be posted on a website. In the Senate version, companies would also have to disclose payments for continuing medical education.

With sponsors from both sides of Congress, and terms that seem relatively complementary, it looks like this measure has decent prospects. Let's see if PhRMA can pry both the House and the Senate off of this one.

To learn more about these measures:
- read this Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report piece

Related Articles:
Psychiatrists getting largest pharma gifts. Report
NY bill would require pharmas to report MD gifts. Report
Doctors weigh in on pros and cons of accepting drug/device freebies. Letters
States tighten screws on pharma marketers. Report

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