Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15027

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Anderson E.
Bill: End drug firm gifts to doctors
Times Union 2009 Feb 7
http://m.timesunion.com/topic/1860-Business/articles/190146401

Full text:

Consumer activists want the state Legislature to support a proposal by Gov. David Paterson that would ban pharmaceutical company gifts to physicians. A coalition of consumer groups on Thursday said the ban on gifts over $50 could reduce the costs of drugs and boost the trust patients have in doctors.

“Inappropriate drug industry influence undermines patient safety, and drives up costs for New York State taxpayers,” said Chuck Bell, programs director for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.

“Science and research should be the guide to prescribing the most effective prescription drugs, not sales pitches and gifts from manufacturers to physicians,” said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York state director, in a prepared statement.

Industry officials have said legislation in Massachusetts has already led to the cancellation of two large medical conventions in Boston.

But Bill Ferris, an AARP spokesman who participated in Thursday’s news conference, dismissed their concerns.

“I think it’s a convenient excuse to cancel a convention and blame it on a disclosure law,” he said.

One concern of the industry was that legislation might limit the role of its researchers in meeting presentations and seminars.

But consumer advocates say New York’s legislation only requires that presenters disclose any financial relationships they have with a pharmaceutical company.

In Massachusetts, the draft legislation apparently created confusion in the pharmaceutical industry that led to at least one meeting cancellation, according to news reports.

New York’s legislation does allow payments to support research, clinical or educational activity, although it requires follow-up reports and disclosures.