When the Department of Public Health implemented the Massachusetts gifts ban and disclosure regulations, our law was considered the strictest in the nation.
But a Vermont law passed at the end of thier legislative session bans all gifts except for samples, reimbursement for reasonable work, demonstration units, rebates, scholarships for medical students, genuine educational material such as journals.
The law allows ‘payments’ to providers that includes specific Continuing Medical Education (CME) funding requirements, bona fide research, royalties and licensing fees, and honoraria. The companies have to report payments made for everything except: royalties and licensing fees, rebates and discounts, and payments for clinical trials. Industry must also provide information on all drug samples distributed. This legislation also creates a work group to recommend a sample list and a process for substitution for consideration – along the lines of therapeutic substitution to promote increased use of generic drugs. And one more thing- each violation of the law can cost up to $10,000 in penalties- double the Massachusetts’ penalty.
Congratulations!
Georgia Maheras
