Drug reps - no more free pens
The American Association of Medical Colleges's Expert Panel on Education in Safe and Effective Prescribing has released its final report on Education in Safe and Effective Prescribing Practices (2008). This report recommends what medical students need to learn in order to become knowledgeable, safe and effective prescribers of medications. Several of the recommendations in this report address students' understanding of "...how receipt of gifts, payments, or other relationships can influence physician judgment and distort prescribing practices."
Shortly after the AAMC report was released, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) released a revised Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals which considerably restricts drug marketing practices and gifts to healthcare providers. The revised PhRMA code prohibits distribution of non-educational items (e.g. pens, mugs, etc. with the company or product logo) to healthcare providers and their staff. The code also prohibits pharmaceutical company sales representatives from providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals, although the code does permit them to provide occasional meals in offices in conjunction with informational presentations.
What do you think?
Will this change your perception of the value of specific drugs?
How will this affect your life as a student, resident, or healthcare provider?
Image: "Miss Dewey Decimal". (2007). Pens. [Online image]. Retrieved July 21, 2008 from http://unorganizedlibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/04/why-i-hate-my-new-office-part-1.html.
