New Jersey Governor Christie Introduces Regulation to Cap Physician-Pharma Relationships

In the last days of his administration, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has introduced a regulation to cap the amount physicians can earn from drug companies – an already rule-laden area – to $10,000 per year. The Regulation In addition to the $10,000 per year cap on any earnings from pharma to physicians, prescription writers are prohibited from accepting certain gifts, such as entertainment and lavish meals (an exception is carved out for four meals a year under $15). The $10,000 cap excludes compensation for speaking at continuing education events. The new regulations detail the different kinds of services – such as speaking at promotional events and consulting arrangements – physicians and other prescription writers can perform for drug companies. According to Christie’s office, all such agreements and payments would have to be in writing. According to the press release, summarized by Nicodemo Fiorentino, G&M Health LLC the bill proposes to do the following: Prohibit prescribers from accepting (1) cash, (2) gift cards, (3) entertainment, (4) recreational items, (5) items for the prescriber’s personal use, and (6) payments supporting non-faculty attendance at promotional activities and continuing education events; Establish exemptions if the items of value (includes the prohibitions) are for the benefit of patients or prescriber education (e.g., educational materials); Set standards for agreements for “bona fide services” (i.e., (1) speaking at ...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs