MA drops planned ban on physician gifts from drugmakers

Anne Zieger — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:30:55 -0400

Massachusetts legislators have stripped several controversial provisions out of pending legislation that would have imposed strict new rules on pharmaceutical company relationships with doctors. The bill had originally banned drug companies from providing gifts and meals to physicians, and also required drug and medical device companies to report payments they made to doctors for consulting and speaking about their products, but these provisions were removed. Legislators have also removed a proposed $5,000 per violation fine from the measure. The new version of the bill only requires drug companies to adopt a marketing code of conduct not unlike the one announced by drugmaker trade group PhRMA, which still allows companies to cater lunches and breakfasts in doctors' offices.

The proposed bill did keep one controversial section, however: It would ban pharmaceutical companies from buying drug prescribing information identifying doctors or patients. Such measures have been fought tooth and nail in other states by the pharmas--and overturned in some cases--so it's hard to imagine they'll let it stand here either. Still, even passing such a measure would be fairly progressive.

To learn more about this measure:
- read this piece from The Boston Globe

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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

Code Of Conduct

MA drops planned ban on physician gifts from drugmakers

Pharmas adopt voluntary marketing guidelines banning doctor gifts