The proposal comes in a report from the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs, released by outgoing N.J. Attorney General Anne Milgram, who will leave her post after the inauguration of Governor-elect Chris Christie in January.
Specifically, the proposal would:
- bar physicians from accepting free food in their offices or at promotional dinners; and
- require physicians serving as pharmaceutical or medical device consultants to disclose acceptance of more than $200 in consulting fees, honoria, or research funding every two years.
“It is critical to minimize the potential for conflicts and it is critical that patients are made aware of any financial relationship between a physician and a pharmaceutical company or medical device manufacturer,” Ms. Milgram said. “Such relationships could bias medical decision-making.”
States such as Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota and West Virginia have required physicians to disclose gifts from the pharmaceutical industry.
Read the release on industry payments to physicians.
