Friday, April 30, 2010
Doctors will have to post gifts on a web database starting 2013
by Larry Geller
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires companies to begin recording any physician payments that are worth more than $10 in 2012 and to report them on March 31, 2013. That includes stock options, research grants, knickknacks, consulting fees and travel to medical conferences at chi-chi hotels. The details will be posted in a searchable database starting Sept. 30, 2013.
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Because the planned doctor-gift database will include explanations of exactly what services doctors provided for drug and device companies in exchange for compensation, it will hopefully increase public understanding and awareness of what a doctor-drug company relationship actually looks like, and will help patients make more informed decisions the drugs and medical devices offered to them. [injuryboard.com, New Law Will Make Drug Company Gifts to Doctors Public on the Web, 4/29/2010]
I’ll admit that I do appreciate when a doctor can give me a handful of samples for free because some drug company sales person has gifted them to the doctor. But still, this looks like a giant step in the right direction. Starting in 2013. I hope Congress doesn’t mess too much with it before it becomes effective.
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