Profession
Massachusetts considering ban on drug industry gifts
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 9, 2008
The Massachusetts Senate in April unanimously approved a bill that, if enacted, would mark the country's first total ban on pharmaceutical industry gifts "of any value" to physicians and their office staff or family members. Doctors and drug reps could be fined $5,000 for violating the ban, which is part of a larger health care bill that was pending in the state House of Representatives at press time.
The measure would allow drug reps to distribute prescription drug samples, but the drugs could go only to patients rather than for physicians' personal use. Proponents say the bill is necessary to reduce the influence that small gifts such as pens, coffee mugs and free lunches may have on physicians' prescribing habits.
The Massachusetts Medical Society testified against the bill, arguing that the AMA's ethics code that urges physicians not to accept any gifts worth $100 or more is sufficient. Society President B. Dale Magee, MD, said physicians are concerned that industry-sponsored continuing medical education could be outlawed as gifts under the bill.
"The serious questions are sidestepped by this bill," Dr. Magee said, arguing that physicians need better access to comparative effectiveness data to help them make more informed prescribing decisions.
Vermont and Minnesota have laws requiring drugmakers to report gifts to doctors worth more than $25 and $50, respectively.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/09/prbf0609.htm.
