US Pharm. 2008;34(2):6.
New York, NY -- Branded pens, notepads, and other popular giveaways by pharmaceutical companies may be a thing of the past. Last month the pharmaceutical industry agreed to a voluntary moratorium on giveaways that are usually imprinted with the name of a drug and/or company's name. The new industry guidelines were proposed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, an industry group in Washington that represents most of the pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S. The guidelines also reiterate an earlier suggestion by the association that prohibited more expensive gifts like tickets to sporting events and junkets to resorts. Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) are proposing a law that would require drug and medical device manufacturers to publicly disclose all payments and gifts to doctors exceeding $100, or face stiff penalties as high as $1 million.
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