Group: Few med schools free of pharma influence

A new survey has drawn the buzz-worth conclusion that only six medical schools in the U.S. aren't influenced by pharmaceutical companies. The study, by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), looked at medical school policies regarding drug makers, including whether they allowed drug reps on campus and whether they allowed the pharmas to offer gifts to students and doctors. Only six medical schools banned both practices, including Stanford University, the University of California-Davis, the University of Michigan Medical School, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Vermont and Yale. The survey supports an ongoing effort by the AMSA, the "PharmFree" campaign, which encourages med schools to squeeze out pharma influences in campus.

To get more information about the study:
- read this United Press International item
- read the AMSA release and scorecard (.pdf)

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