The Medical Accountability Network is pleased to announce the successful passage of a law that requires drug and device makers to disclose their gifts to physicians. The Medical Accountability Network, LLC is the consumer-oriented group of medical professionals that bring you SmartMEDinfo.com. We joined Pew Charitable Trusts in lobbying efforts for the past two years to enlighten elected representatives on the need for full disclosure in the medical industry. This has included letter writing and petitions by our physicians and pharmacists, all of whom see the effects of undue influence on doctors prescribing habits.
Under the new Federal law, “Physician Payment Sunshine Act”, doctors who accept fees, meals, gifts and other freebies from the makers of regulated medical products will now have their names posted on an internet site. Other covered “gifts” that strongly influence doctors recommendations include travel expenses and accommodations at medical conferences, stock options and consulting fees.
There is nothing illegal about the gifts from the drug industry. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 90% of physicians accept gifts from the regulated drug and device industry. Patients simply have a right to know who is influencing their doctor’s recommendations. While this new law may simply drive the advertising units to use nurse practitioners as spokespeople instead, it is a step in the right direction for the smart health consumer.
Reference
Steinbrook, Robert, M.D. Disclosure of Industry Payments to Physicians, New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 359:559-561, August 7, 2008, Number 6.
Weintraub, Arlene, New Health Law Will Require Industry To Disclose Payments To Physicians, Kaiser Health News, April 26.2010, available at http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2010/April/26/physician-payment-disclosures.aspx, last accessed 4/30/10.