Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17701

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: Electronic Source

Silverman E
VA Proposes Rule To Limit Access To Sales Reps
Pharmalot 2010 May 11
http://www.pharmalot.com/2010/05/va-proposes-rule-to-limit-access-to-sales-reps/

Full text:

The US Veterans Administration, which runs a vast network of hospitals and healthcare facilities, is concerned about the influence the pharmaceutical industry has on treating patients. And since sales reps have “heavy interaction with local VA staff,” the VA has published a new rule to “ensure that (reps) do not negatively affect the quality of patient care.”
The new rule would require a pharmacy chief or other responsible official to “approve educational programs and materials” presented by reps to ensure materials focus on “clinician education as opposed to marketing.” Company names and logos, for instance, will not be permitted as part of educational material. And reps would be denied access to patient care areas – such as operating rooms and nursing stations, among other places – to ensure patient privacy and would be required to make appointments as opposed to having open and unresticted access.
Reps won’t be allowed to attend a medical center conference where patient-specific material is discussed or presented. And reps would also be prohibited from providing any food to VA staff or gifts above a “de minimis” value specified in the standards of ethical conduct for federal employees, and would prohibit VA employees from personally accepting drug samples. Any violations could result in suspending or permanently barring a sales force from VA facilities. You can read the complete proposed rule here.