Posted: | December 21, 2020 02:55 PM |
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From: | Representative Mike Zabel |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Prohibiting Gifts from Pharmaceutical Companies |
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh found healthcare providers, who receive gifts from opioid pharmaceutical companies, were more likely to prescribe higher amounts of opioid prescriptions. In the time period analyzed in the University of Pittsburgh study — 2014 to 2016 — 18 pharmaceutical companies reported that they had promoted opioid products to doctors with gifts and other payments. The opioid epidemic has reached every corner of Pennsylvania, and we need to do everything we can to help solve this crisis. For this reason, I am introducing legislation which would limit the amounts of gifts a pharmaceutical manufacturer may give to a healthcare provider to $50 dollars in a calendar year. An exception is made for “blinded” marketing research. With this bill, we will be limiting the direct influence a company has over our healthcare professionals. I ask that you support this legislation and join me in helping confront the opioid crisis on a new front. By providing oversight, we are taking the pressure off of our healthcare providers and place the focus on the wellbeing of the patient. |
Introduced as HB593