Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14071

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

Massachusetts Restricts Pharma Marketing in Cost, Quality Bill
PharmaLive 2008 Aug 1
http://pharmalive.com/news/index.cfm?articleID=560318&categoryid=43

Full text:

BOSTON, August 1, 2008 – Last night, as part of a larger Health Care Cost and Quality bill, Massachusetts passed a law restricting pharmaceutical and medical device industry marketing. If signed by the governor, the bill would:

-create an academic detailing program to provide unbiased information to prescribers;

-require companies to disclose payments to health care providers valued at $50 or more;

-direct the DPH to establish regulations on pharmaceutical and medical device marketing, using the PhRMA code as a minimum standard; that voluntary code bans small gifts and limits meals and travel that can be offered to prescribers. The Massachusetts the law also lets DPH go further than the industry code;

-establish a $5000 penalty per violation for companies, granting enforcement power to the Attorney General.

“The provisions passed today are a positive step forward,” said Lisa Kaplan Howe, private market policy manager at Health Care For All, a member of the Massachusetts Prescription Reform Coalition. “They show a commitment on behalf of the legislature, and particularly Senate President Murray, to curb the influence of inappropriate marketing. The Massachusetts Prescription Reform Coalition looks forward to working with State leaders to make sure the Commonwealth has the strongest and safest possible protections for consumers.”