[Source: Health and Life Sciences Law Daily, Oct. 24, 2007]
Congressional Quarterly (10/24, Bloedorn) reports, "Several key medical groups have announced their support for legislation (S 2029) that would require pharmaceutical companies to report any gifts given to physicians." The legislation, "sponsored by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), and co-sponsored by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.)," would require "pharmaceutical companies with revenues exceeding $100 million...to file quarterly reports detailing all gifts of $25 or more given to physicians and clinicians." The American Medical Students Association, the National Physicians Alliance, and the Prescription Project said that "such gifts influence doctors to prescribe more expensive name brand medications" rather than "generic drugs." However, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America argues that the legislation "would create a 'reporting bureaucracy and could cause confusion and burdens for companies, physicians and patients.'"
See "Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2007" (S. 2029) here
