Pharmas adopt voluntary marketing guidelines banning doctor gifts

Anne Zieger — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:22:29 -0400

Taking control of what may have otherwise been forced upon it, the pharmaceutical industry has agreed to a voluntary code of conduct that bans gifts to physicians. The rules, the Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals, was written by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the industry's trade organization. (If these power brokers have decided that it's time to give up the gifts, they must have been all but certain that private groups and legislatures were going to force an end to the practice.) The code includes a provision asking CEOs of the large pharmaceutical firms to certify in writing that they have policies and procedures in place that will encourage compliance with the new rules.

All of this is well and good, from the standpoint of critics who'd like to see pharmaceutical companies step back from their physician relationships. However, they're still not completely happy, as the code still allows drugmakers to shower dollars with big-ticket consulting and speaking agreements and invite physicians to fancy dinners in the name of drug education. Also, the rules still allow pharmas to set up breakfasts and lunches for medical office staffs.

To learn more about the new rules:
- read this article from The New York Times

Related Articles:
Congress debates pharma gift disclosure
States tighten screws on pharma marketers
NY bill would require pharmas to report MD gifts
Doctors weigh in on pros and cons of accepting drug/device freebies

Pharma gift disclosure law wins Eli Lilly support

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

While its peers appear to be firmly opposed to such rules, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has decided to support federal legislation that would require drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors. Although such initiatives have floundered in the past, Lilly's support may give the new law--which would go into effect beginning March 31, 2011--a better shot at passing.

Lilly got on board with The Physician Payments Sunshine Act, as the measure is known, when legislators agreed to raise the minimum reportable payment from $25 to $500, and extended the legislation to apply to all drug and medical devicemakers rather than only those with more than $100 million in annual revenue.

Another factor that swayed Lilly is that the federal law would pre-empt similar laws currently in affect in a few states. Lilly president John Lechleiter has said that such pre-emption was important, as it would help companies like his by establishing one uniform reporting standard.

To learn more about the bill, and Lilly's position:
- read this Associated Press piece
- read Lilly's statement on the subject

Related Articles:
Drug companies plan to disclose grant funding
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