Recommendations Regarding the Use of Guidelines / Policies

While this document is not binding on constituent chapters, compliance with it is strongly encouraged as a means of providing a consistent message from AAFP and its constituent chapters to industry.

Several policies/guidelines for dealing with commercial entities exist and are included in this manual. It is essential that constituent chapters are familiar with the following, as these govern the relationships of CME providers with proprietary entities and compliance is necessary to assure eligibility for CME accreditation:

"Gifts to Physicians From Industry," filed by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association, December 4, 1990, and adopted by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, December 6, 1990, as part of the "PMA Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices." Adopted by the AAFP Congress of Delegates, September 1991.

"Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education," approved by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, March 20, 1992. Adopted by the AAFP Congress of Delegates, September 1993.

"Policy on Commercial Acknowledgment in Enduring Materials," adopted by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, July 1995. Adopted by the AAFP Congress of Delegates, September 1998.

The following is an additional example of an association policy regarding corporate relationships:

"Guidelines for AMA Corporate Relationships," revised February 1998, which includes guidelines approved by the American Medical Association's Board of Trustees October 1997 and principles adopted by the AMA House of Delegates, December 1997. For guidance on non-CME events, please refer to Chapter IV. B. of this manual.