Eleven former and current leaders of professional medical associations (PMAs) published an article in the April 1 Journal of the American Medical Association, calling on physicians to reject funding from pharmaceutical and medical device industry groups.
In the article, the group states that the ideal physician-industry relationship would involve no industry contributions. However, the group recognized that industry groups help fund continuing medical education (CME) programs that are crucial to professional development. The group recommends that PMAs set a benchmark that no more than 25 percent of funding be derived from industry groups.
The group believes that physician integrity and quality may be compromised through industry-funded educational programs. Their fear is that the educational programs may turn into marketing sessions, slanted to support a certain company's device or procedure. The group does not advocate for restrictions on industry presence in exhibit halls and advertisements, since these are presented as clear marketing efforts.
The group urges PMAs to form committees that would be in charge of collecting non-restricted industry funds, allocating them among a variety of educational programs. Many groups have already taken efforts to strengthen their codes of conduct to prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Congress has also voiced its support for industry-physician transparency. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) have introduced the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (S. 301), which would require companies to report all gifts and payments to physicians totalling more than $100 a year to the Department of Health and Human Services. Those who fail to report would face fines of up to $1 million.
Source: BNA
AUGS Government Relations Committee
Alan Garely, MD - Chair