Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13518

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Publication type: news

Responses From Pharmaceutical Drug and Device Makers to Grassley Request for Disclosure of Support for Continuing Medical Education
PharmaLive 2008 Apr 11
http://pharmalive.com/news/index.cfm?articleID=530774&categoryid=9&newsletter=1

Notes:

Copies of letters from companies available via link to PharmaLive site.

Full text:

Copies of letters that Senator Grassley received from drug makers in response to his request for them to follow Eli Lilly’s lead and disclose financial contributions to continuing medical education are attached. Right now, Senator Grassley does not plan to pursue disclosure legislation separate from the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. He will carefully monitor implementation of the disclosure plans described in these letters and consider additional initiatives, including legislation, if transparency is not achieved.

Comment from Senator Grassley:
“When it comes to the drug and device industry, the stakes are high for both public safety and the public purse. Making information about financial relationships open to scrutiny is the right thing to do. More transparency can do a lot to build confidence in the system and bring greater accountability,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.