IOM slams practice of accepting pharma swag

Over the last 18 months or so, the political climate has gotten pretty darned unfriendly for doctors who chose to accept pharma money or gifts. In some cases their parent organizations have banned the practice entirely, and in other cases, state legislatures have stepped in.

Now, the influential Institute of Medicine has spoken its piece, issuing a harsh report charging that doctors should stop taking virtually all of the money, gifts and free drug samples they typically take in today. As of 2007, more than three-quarters of doctors surveyed accepted free drug samples and food, more than a third got money for CME classes, and more than a quarter received aid to give marketing lectures for drug/device makers.

Now, the IOM would like to see Congress pass legislation requiring drug and devicemakers to publicly disclose all payments made to doctors. (A bill that would do just that, meanwhile, is already under consideration in the Senate.)

The new report follows a recent, tough screed from the Association of American Medical Colleges, whose proposed rules prompted many schools and medical societies to crack down on accepting pharma and devicemaker bucks. The IOM report is expected to accelerate the process, observers say.

To learn more about the IOM report:
- read this piece from The New York Times

Related Articles:
Study: Pharma disclosure laws not working
Pharma gift disclosure law wins Eli Lilly support
Senate investigates pharma influence on CME
Senate questions devicemaker payments to surgeons
Doctors weigh in on the pros and cons of accepting drug/device freebies