October 6, 2001
Congress calls for further study of industry gifts, pharmaceutical support of Assembly activities
The Congress of Delegates this week called for further review of current AAFP policies on gifts to physicians from industry and commercial support of Assembly activities.
Resolution No. 202, introduced by the Maine chapter, asks AAFP to develop a policy stating that "any activity or item that is presented or given to physicians at the Scientific Assembly exhibit hall must have patient or physician education value."
And Resolution No. 203, brought to the Congress by the Maine and Vermont chapters, takes it a step further. It asks AAFP leaders to eschew all pharmaceutical funding for Congress of Delegates or Scientific Assembly activities that are not directly related to patient care or physician education.
The Congress voted Wednesday to refer both items to the Board.
AAFP recently reaffirmed its support of the AMA guidelines on gifts to physicians from industry, inviting pharmaceutical firms to enter into an agreement to adhere to those guidelines. That same agreement also applies to standards for commercial support of CME established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
The AMA gift guidelines state that acceptable gifts should be of minimal value (less than $100) and must primarily entail a benefit to patients, relate to the physician's work or serve a genuine educational function. Yet the document also notes that modest meals are acceptable.
It's an apparent disconnect that proponents of the resolutions were quick to point out.
"Do we really need pharmaceutical companies subsidizing delegates' lunches and dinners?" alternate delegate James Raczek, M.D., of Bangor, Maine, asked a reference committee. "We need to show members that we are willing to break away from gifts that do not directly benefit our patients."
On the other side of the fence was delegate Pamela Kushner, M.D., of Long Beach, Calif., who testified that she was only able to complete her medical school training thanks to a scholarship program supported by a pharmaceutical firm.
Delegate Judith Chamberlain, M.D., of Brunswick, Maine, cut to the chase, noting that drug companies have been happy to work with physicians in Maine "in cutting back on products not related to patient care."
However, she added wryly, "They're happy to work with us because we come to their educational sessions."
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2001 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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