American Medical Student Association Applauds Pharmaceutical Industry For Voluntary Ban; Continues To Call For Federal Regulation

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 05 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PST

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The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's oldest and largest, independent association for physicians-in-training, applauds the pharmaceutical industry for implementing a voluntary ban on gifts to physicians, which began on January 1, 2009. Enacted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the ban will prohibit pens, coffee mugs and other branded gifts. AMSA has called for a comprehensive ban on gifts and all marketing efforts to medical professionals since 2002, when it initiated the PharmFree campaign (www.pharmfree.org). AMSA's PharmFree campaign has educated and trained thousands of medical students across the country to interact professionally and ethically with the pharmaceutical industry. "Banning gifts from the drug companies is a good first step," says Dr. Brian Hurley, AMSA's national president. "There is no role for marketing masquerading as education when our patients' lives are at stake."

Home to the next generation of physicians, AMSA also calls for federal regulations to govern the pharmaceutical industry's interactions with medical institutions. Specifically, AMSA supports passage of the Physician Payment Sunshine Act of 2008 (S.2029), which would require disclosure of payments to physicians by the pharmaceutical industry.

"Given that pharmaceutical companies have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders, and given that they are a business that must take profits into consideration, the pharmaceutical industry cannot be expected to self-regulate," continues Hurley. "Congress must fight to ensure the quality of medical education, which necessitates non-biased, evidence-based information about medications and medical devices. This is the only way to produce a medical system that can provide quality, affordable patient care for everyone."

AMSA's PharmFree campaign encourages medical schools and academic medical centers to develop policies that limit the access of pharmaceutical company representatives to campuses and hospitals and to prohibit medical students and physicians from accepting gifts of any kind from these representatives. In June 2008, AMSA released its PharmFree Scorecard (www.amsascorecard.org), a comprehensive ranking of conflict-of-interest policies across the country, as well as an in-depth, school-by-school look at policies that govern industry interaction with medical school faculty and trainees.

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 67,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including advocating for quality, affordable health care for all, global health equity, enriching medicine through diversity and professional integrity, development and student well being. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org.