The AMA has a policy about how and when a doctor should accept gifts from
drug companies which was reaffirmed:
AMA rejects easing gift policy By LINDSEY TANNER, AP
Medical Writer (Published June 14' 2004) CHICAGO (AP) -
The American Medical Association rejected a proposal
Monday that would have softened the group's stance
against drug industry "freebies," including paying for
doctors' trips to industry-sponsored educational
conferences.
Dr. Peter Lavine, a Washington, D.C., orthopedic surgeon
who offered the proposal at the group's annual
meeting, argued that doctors deserve to be
compensated for attending such conferences, where
they often learn crucial information about new
medical equipment and procedures.
It doesn't make sense to allow money for tuition "but not
hotels," he said Sunday during a committee hearing on his
proposal. "The policy is a mess."
Lavine said that many physicians ignore the existing
policy, which says doctors should accept only gifts that
have some direct benefit to patients, and discourages
things like free trips to conferences, hotel
accommodations and other personal expenses.
The AMA's policy-making delegates agreed without
debate to accept the committee's recommendation
rejecting the proposal.
Several doctors said during Sunday's debate that
physicians face stiff pressure from drug companies
marketing their products and that the proposal would
increase the chances for them to be unduly influenced.
"It is very hard to admit that your behavior can be
changed by someone else's behavior," said Johns Hopkins
University neurologist Dr. Michael Williams. "To suggest
that we are so self-aware that we can overcome that just
doesn't make any sense."